EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF ABDOMEN LIPOSUCTION

Abstract

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) plays a crucial role in strengthening the primary function of the lymphatic system, which includes assisting the vascular system in eliminating substances resulting from cellular metabolism, such as toxins and metabolites. Therefore, the objective of the study is to identify the effectiveness of MLD in the postoperative period of abdominal liposuction. The present study is an integrative literature review, carried out according to the following steps: 1) elaboration of the research question; 2) bibliographic survey; 3) data evaluation; 4) data analysis – division, exposure and comparison; 5) presentation of results. A survey was carried out through the electronic library through the Virtual Health Library (VHL), selecting the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Therefore, the descriptors consulted in the Science and Health Descriptors were used, being: “Manual Lymphatic Drainage”, “Post-Operative Period” and “Abdomen”, using the Boolean operator AND between the descriptors when combined, with the descriptors in English so that there would be a greater number of studies. They received a quantity: MEDLINE (17) and LILACS (6). According to the studies found, after abdominal liposuction it is a practice recommended by many plastic surgeons to aid postoperative recovery. This massage technique is generally indicated to reduce edema (swelling), accelerate the healing process, reduce the formation of fibrosis (hard nodules of scar tissue) and improve skin texture. The effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in the postoperative period of abdominal liposuction is corroborated by a series of clinical observations and studies, which highlight its ability to reduce edema and accelerate the recovery process.