Table 2.
Excess volume and L-Dex value pre- and postoperatively
| Preoperative | 6 months | 12 months | 18 months | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper limb (n) | 15 | 12 | 7 | 1 |
| L-Dex [mean (range)] | 41.2 (18–75) | 35.3 (14–49) | 25.1 (13–45) | 27 |
| Significance | – | p = 0.068 | p = 0.018 | – |
| Mean excess volume [ml (range)] | 1139.5 (645–1755) | 67.9 (−697 to 422) | 18.7 (−244 to 218) | −339a |
| Mean excess volume [% (range)] | 44.2 (27–67) | 3.6 (−21 to 21) | 1.3 (−5 to 8) | −11a |
| Significance | – | p < 0.001 | p = 0.001 | – |
| Lower limb (n) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| L-Dex [mean (range)] | 46.9 (12–97) | 49.3 (33–71) | 39.0 | – |
| Significance | – | p = 0.746 | – | – |
| Mean excess volume [ml (range)] | 4058 (2068–8294) | 400 (−112 to 867) | −103 | – |
| Mean excess volume [% (range)] | 47.3 (23–83) | 4.3 (−1 to 11) | −1.0 | – |
| Significance | – | p = 0.018 | – | – |
Significance assessed using paired samples t tests compared with preoperative value
aThis patient gained weight overall but increased in fat volume in the unaffected arm only, i.e. the affected arm is now smaller than the unaffected arm