Report from LYMPHO 2012

813

 by prof. Benda from  Czech Society of Lymphology

“LYMPHO 2012” was successful…

The traditional Congress of the Czech Society of Lymphology “LYMPHO 2012” with international participation took place in Brno on 12 and 13 October, for the first time under the auspices of the Minister of Health of the Czech Republic. The venue was in a rotunda of a functionalist architectural monument of the Brno Exhibition Centre. 109 doctors, 170 paramedical staff (nurses and physiotherapists), and 16 companies involved in Lymphology have registered for the congress.

Main topics of the congress meetings included new trends and practical experience in lymphology (anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, diagnostics, treatment, complex care for patients with lymphedema). The scientific program consisted of 33 lectures, 1 poster, 4 specialized workshops and 3 company presentations. The keynote lectures were presented by leading international experts from Belgium, Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Their contributions, including discussions, were simultaneously translated.

The scientific program was divided into 6 sections. The first two of them included lectures by invited speakers. The first section was devoted to modern trends and new possibilities of diagnostic imaging of lymphatic system. Dr. Schingale (Germany) and Dr. Belgrado (Belgium) presented a revolutionary method of fluorescence lymphography (lymphofluoroscopy), and suggested possibilities of its clinical use in the algorithm of diagnostic procedures and evaluation of the results of limbs edema treatment. Their presentation provoked an extraordinary attention and a wide discussion. Prof. Bourgeois (Belgium) documented and emphasized the importance of lymphoscintigraphy for diagnostics and treatment evaluation of peripheral edema.

The second section focused on issues concerning principle and effect of manual lymphatic drainage (Prof. Eliška, Prague) and lymphofluoroscopy application in the detection and mapping of substitutional and collateral paths in the course of manual lymphatic drainage (Dr. Belgrado, Belgium). Prof. Partsch (Austria) presented new findings in the area of compression therapy of limb edema, from the perspective of applied pressure optimization, supported by experimental studies. Dr. Schingale (Germany) clearly summarized a complex effect of compression on tissues. There was a rich and fruitful simultaneously interpreted discussion in both sections.

The third section was devoted to the surgical treatment options of limb lymphedema, focused primarily on liposuction and establishment of lymphovenous connections (Assoc. Prof. Wald, Prague). The issue of mixed phlebolymphoedema treatment (Dr. Čepl, Dačice) and long-term problem of etiologic relationship between erysipelas and primary lymphedema (Dr. Džupina, Slovakia) were also discussed.

In the fourth, thematically varied section, problems of current lymphedema pharmacotherapy options (Dr. Ambrózy, Slovakia), perspectives of complex decongestive lymphedema therapy (Dr. Vlasák, Prague), neck lymphedema (Dr. Vojáčková, Prague) and a negative effect of a posttraumatic stress on the lymphatic system and soft tissues (Dr. Loskotová, Brno) were presented.

The lecture by professors Campisi and Boccardo (Italy) summarizing the knowledge and experience of a specialized university center in Genoa in rational surgical treatment and prevention of lymphedema by creating lymphovenous connections dominated the fifth section. Their presentation was followed by a rich backstage discussion on this “hot” topic. Furthermore, Belgian experience with application of standardized lymphoscintigraphy and its often decisive importance for the objectification of edema diagnosis and evaluation of rational treatment results of limb lymphedema was reported (Dr. Kubinyi, Prague).

Dr. Pavlasová (Třebíč) presented a case study of lymphedema untreatable in outpatient care. Dr. Navrátilová (Brno) introduced a case report of lymphangiomatosis of lower limbs, scrotum and abdominal wall. Dr. Houdová (Pardubice) reported results of long-term monitoring of women with postmastectomy lymphedema.

In the final section, among other topics, the importance of balanced nutrition and nutritional therapy in the complex treatment of lymphedema was stressed, especially in obese patients (B.Sc. Brskovská, Prague), and the importance and possibilities of primary prevention of chronic, progressive disease with a focus on lymphedema (Dr. Vlasak, Prague).

Successfully organized workshops attracted congress participants by its interesting topics. They were devoted to psychotherapeutic techniques (relaxation exercises, autogenic training, hypnosis, group therapy), which were introduced, commented and presented by Assoc. Prof. Bendová (Brno), further to pharmacological action and application of enzyme therapy in the complex treatment of lymphedema (Assoc. Prof. Wald, Prague), presenting and commenting lymphofluoroscopic trials (Dr. Belgrado, Belgium), to practical demonstration of manual lymphatic drainage of back and loin (Dr. Houdová, Pardubice) and exchange of experience with the benefit of lymph taping in the treatment of lymphedema (C. Feenstra and Dr. Vlasak, Netherlands, Prague). In workshops, which got a great interest of the congress participants, there was a very good, immediate and creative atmosphere. The lively discussion passed into the free exchange of opinions.

The company presentation of Beauty Systems ltd., which introduced Dr. Schingale (Germany), dealt with the differences between various types of drainages. The presentation of companies Maxis, Inc. and medi focused on a range of elastic compression stockings made by flat knitting technology and on prescription and method of measurement in patients with atypical limbs dimensions. Lohmann and Rauscher Company, ltd. introduced a very interesting and beneficial company project for compression therapy that might be a great contribution for lymphological practice.

The congress was included in the continuous postgraduate education guaranteed by the Czech Medical Society of J. E. Purkyně (in collaboration with the Czech Medical Chamber, the Czech Association of Nurses and UNIFY – the Union of the Physiotherapists of the Czech Republic), and evaluated by high-rated credits, particularly for the active participation in the scientific program. The participants gained certificates with the relevant accreditation.

Within the congress a social event in the “Moravian Cottage” was held, which was at an extraordinary high social and culinary level and certainly remains in positive memory of all participants.

Renowned agency AMCA ltd. in close cooperation with the organizing committee of the congress ensured excellently organizational and technical platform of the congress.

During the congress, a plenary meeting of the Czech Society of Lymphology was held, which took place in an atmosphere of calm and substantive negotiations.
Finally, the president of the congress Prof. Benda (Brno) evaluated the meetings as extremely successful and beneficial for the Czech lymphology whose level is converging both in theoretical and diagnostic as well as in treatment areas, and in some ways reaches the top of the European level. He stressed that we certainly have nothing to be ashamed of and that we can contribute in many ways to the further development of lymphology in some aspects (anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging, surgical treatment – debulking, liposuction, creating lymphovenous connections, nutritional therapy, psychological care for lymphedematic patients, an organization of specialized care in the regions and others).

The congress meetings set topics that are offered to the increased attention and specified tasks, which are necessary to deal with and to solve in the next period. These include, among other things, ensuring the availability of skilled care for lymphedematic patients at the level of regions, increasing the education of lymph therapist and level of basic antiedematous treatment, strengthening the psychological aspects of comprehensive care for the patients at the level of the first capture and establishing their active cooperation in the treatment program, supporting the “self-treatment” of patients and ultimately the expansion of surgical treatment of lymphedema and the establishment of advisory services in the patients nutritional regime.

Finally, it could be emphasized that the “LYMPHO 2012”, the Congress of the Czech Society of Lymphology of the Czech Medical Association of J. E. Purkyně with international participation, was unquestionably successful.

Thanks to all who contributed to its success.

Committee of the Czech Society of Lymphology

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