Use of Sequential Pneumatic Compression Devices to Facilitate Propagation of Contrast during Intranodal Lymphangiography.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>To examine effects of lower extremity sequential compression devices (SCDs) on lymphatic transit during intranodal lymphangiography (IL) and thoracic duct interventions.<bold>Materials and Methods: </bold>A retrospective review of 19 SCD-assisted IL (IL-SCD) procedures was performed. The control group comprised 18 consecutive IL-guided procedures performed in the immediately preceding time period. For IL-SCD procedures, SCDs were placed onto patients' calves before sterile preparation. Total procedure time and lymphatic transit time were measured. Mean age was 52 years in the IL-SCD group and 64 years in the control group. In the control group, 100% (18/18) of patients had a chylous leak, whereas only 74% (14/19) of patients in the IL-SCD group had a leak.<bold>Results: </bold>In the IL-SCD group, mean total procedure time was 75 minutes (range, 34-126 min), and mean lymphatic transit time was 29 minutes (range, 8-63 min). In the control group, mean total procedure time was 105 minutes (range, 51-203 min), and mean lymphatic transit time was 56 minutes (range, 28-117 min). Lymphatic transit time and procedure time were significantly reduced in the IL-SCD group (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Use of lower extremity SCDs reduces lymphatic transit time and IL-dependent procedure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]