This session will commence with the introduction of the diversity of the normal genital shape for men and women. We will review the potential causes of genital oedema and look at how the swelling may distort the genitalia and affect basic functions such as micturition. Assessing genital oedema can be complex as not only does it present with a physical distortion, but also emotionally, these people can be vulnerable and distressed by the time they get to a lymphoedema clinic. We will look at assessment forms that can guide your subjective information and discuss the physical examination. Finally, we will explore potential conservative treatments, as well as briefly touching on surgical options for this patient group.

It is recognised that patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer are at risk of developing lymphoedema of the arm. Lymphoedema can also affect the breast but this area is not as well studied and recognised by clinicians.

This session will review the incidence and potential risk factors for breast lymphoedema development. It will include how the presence of breast lymphoedema can be determined and some of the treatment options.

This session begins with a review of what lipoedema is, how it presents and the possible management options.

The problems encountered by people with lipoedema will be explored, with a particular focus on the problems commonly experienced with compression. Lymphoedema specialists will be well-aware of the difficulties faced with the fitting, efficacy and comfort of compression hosiery for patients with lipoedema, and how concordance, and hence a successful outcome, can be poorly affected by these issues.

The Haddenham Grace range of compression will be introduced, as a new innovative garment especially designed and manufactured to meet the compression needs of patients with lipoedema.

Discussing the value and benefit of this deployment for patients and the NHS. The lymphoedema service continued to deliver services throughout the pandemic however also supported community services with the management of forty patients currently on the community case load. 97% of these patients presented with lower limb wounds and chronic oedema, but only 43% were known to the lymphoedema service. These patients were seen exclusively by the lymphoedema therapist’s over the four month period, increasing and altering many of the patient’s compression, resulting in 20% of patients being discharged off the community case load, and a further 20% requiring less visits. Also working with unregistered staff to upskill and facilitate safe delegation. This deployment clearly demonstrates lymphoedema therapists as compression experts and their ability to reduce inefficiencies in both dressing costs and nursing time. Reinforcing the value of the on the ground clinical lympheodema educator’s role within the NHS.

This session will look at the signs and symptoms associated with the development of head and neck cancer-related lymphoedema, and the challenges these present in relation to changes in function and in particular, the psychological impact of changes in body image. Based on clinical experience, the various management options will be discussed to provide practical advice to help reduce swelling and improve quality of life.

Advances in breast cancer management , including breast conserving surgery has led to an increase in the incidence of breast oedema. While upper limb lymphoedema is generally well managed, breast oedema is often regarded as a consequence of surgery and not always treated if specialist therapists are not available.

Compression is a recognised part of oedema management & there are a variety of bras on the market.

Following on from the success of Comfiwave limb garments, a bra band has been developed to aid the management of breast & chest wall oedema. This session discusses its use through patient case studies, as a tool for the management of this often distressing condition.

Lipoedema UK have entered into a long term collaboration with De Montfort University to investigate why conventional diets fail to have any impact on Lipoedema. The study will include dietary trials to find an optimal diet to prevent weight gain and reduce existing areas of Lipoedema fat.

Women with Lipoedema have been consistently let down by conventional wisdom on weight management and exercise and the lack of knowledge of Lipoedema throughout the medical profession. Patients with Lipoedema are often found obese and have concurrent lymphoedema conditions, which adds to the complexity of disease treatment and management.

Faerber (2018) shed the light on the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of diet as the potential focus for Lipoedema management, as chronic inflammation has been suggested as one of the pathophysiological processes involved in Lipoedema.

The aim of the session is talk about the challenges that are faced by clinicians and patients with heart failure. This specifically relates to the use of compression therapy in the management of chronic oedema and lymphoedema when using this approach. Despite, these challenges, its use can be beneficial to this patient group, if it is considered against the available evidence, and within a personalised care approach.