Post-operative patients have physiotherapy, in Manaus

HEALTH

FCecon Physiotherapy uses lymphatic taping, laser therapy, lymphatic drainage and manual therapies

Manaus (AM) – Every month, almost 400 post-surgical patients can enjoy the benefits of physical therapy treatment to optimize the healing process, control swelling and treat pain. This is one of the services offered by Physiotherapy at the Amazonas State Oncology Control Center Foundation (FCecon), a unit linked to the State Health Secretariat (SES-AM).

Patient Solange da Silva is one of the beneficiaries of the post-operative physiotherapy service. She started treatment for breast cancer in April 2022, underwent chemotherapy and removed one of her breasts.

As is possible in surgeries, Solange had complications after the procedure: healing difficulties, inflammation, edema in the region, small cicatricial dehiscence (spontaneous opening of the surgical stitches) and pain.

The patient could undergo a new surgery, with the aim of cleaning the surgical wound. That’s when the Physiotherapy service was activated.

“It is very important that the oncology hospital acts in a multidisciplinary way, with contact between the doctor, physiotherapist, nutritionist, nurse, social service, psychologist and other professionals. Communication is fundamental for the best recovery of the patient”, said Gerson Mourão, mastologist and director-president of FCecon.

Treatments

Among the main treatment resources for dysfunctions after surgery, FCecon’s Physiotherapy uses lymphatic taping, laser therapy, lymphatic drainage and manual therapies.

Using the tools requires professionals to be able to evaluate and know how to indicate the best technique, according to the healing phase and clinical manifestations, emphasizes the head of the Physiotherapy service at FCecon, Patricia Chagas.

“With this intervention, we were able to optimize the healing process, treat the pain and reduce the chances of a surgical approach, as occurred in the case of the patient Solange. She could be submitted to hygienic surgery to clean the surgical wound, according to the mastologist surgeon, and physiotherapy was promising from the first consultation, not requiring a new surgical approach”, explained Patricia.

Benefits

Post-surgery physiotherapy helps patients in the healing process, controlling edema and ecchymosis (spots on the skin due to blood leakage), in addition to being beneficial for healing the dehiscence.

Seromas, which are formed by accumulation of fluid produced in reaction to tissue, blood and lymph vessel damage, are also treated by post-surgical physical therapy. Tools are also used to treat patients with post-surgical inflammatory and infectious processes, together with the attending physicians.

In the case of patient Solange, the lymphatic system was stimulated by means of lymphatic taping, an adhesive tape that helps with circulatory-lymphatic problems. There was improvement in the drainage of surgical wound secretion, healing and the patient’s skin has a normal color. Laser therapy, on the other hand, helped to modulate the inflammatory process and reduce pain.

“On the other day of the service, I was already seeing the improvement. I felt a lot of pain in the region and it wasn’t hurting anymore. Purple came out too. Today I feel good. Physical therapy in my life was paramount”, says Solange.

In addition to the benefit to the patient, which occurs in the first sessions, there are savings for the hospital, as the hospital cost with supplies, medication, hospitalization and surgical costs is reduced.

Service

In the year 2022, the FCecon Physiotherapy service performed around 25,000 procedures, with a monthly average of 387 patients treated.

With advisory information*

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