Supplemental Material for: Evaluation of Prophylactic Negative Pressure Therapy in the Murine Hindlimb Lymphedema Model

Group 1 received a negative pressure of 75 mmHg on the lymphedema-induced hindlimb for 12 consecutive hours in the first 5 postoperative days (POD). Group 2 did not receive NPT. Paw thickness measurements and near-infrared laser lymphangiography were measured.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results</b>: The study included 16 mice (Group 1 n=6, Group 2 n=10).

Paw thickness on POD-21 in Group 1 was 2.9±0.3 mm compared to 3.3±0.3 mm in Group 2 (p=0.02). On postoperative day 35, the average paw thickness was 2.4±0.1 mm in Group 1 compared to 3.2±0.2 mm (p=0.001). Lymphangiography dye clearance was greater in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p=0.008).</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusions</b>: Mice in the hindlimb lymphedema model that underwent NPT in the early postoperative period had less paw thickness swelling and better lymphatic function than mice that did not have NPT.

NPT decreased lymphedema when used prophylactically following lymphatic injury.</p>