Optimizing Patient Positioning to Reduce Variation in the Measurement of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Sarah M. Desnyder, Parviz Kheirkhah, Marigold L. Travis, Susan E. Lilly, Isabelle Bedrosian, Thomas A. Buchholz, Mark V. Schaverien, Simona F. Shaitelman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Prospective lymphedema screening is recommended for breast cancer patients. We observed interoperator variation in perometer-acquired arm volume measurements (P-AVMs) due to patient instability during measurements. We hypothesized that improved positioning during perometry would reduce P-AVM variability. Methods and Results: Each arm was measured three times by each operator using a perometer. With the original configuration, P-AVM was performed by 2 operators in 30 patients and four cohorts of 5 to 6 operators in 5 volunteers. Repeatability, reproducibility, and gage precision/tolerance (P/T) ratio were calculated. A customized handlebar was installed to optimize patient positioning. P-AVMs were performed in 20 patients with both configurations. Student's t-test was used to compare variation. With the new configuration, P-AVMs were performed by three operators in five volunteers and five operators in three volunteers. Repeatability, reproducibility, and gage P/T ratio were calculated. For the original configuration, gage P/T ratio was 19.9% for two operators and 35.9% for four cohorts of five to six operators. One operator using the new handlebar decreased P-AVM variability by 28% (p = 0.02). For the new configuration, gage P/T ratio was 6.5% for three operators and 18.7% for five operators. Conclusions: Optimizing patient setup improved P-AVM accuracy. P-AVM accuracy is critical as lack of accuracy results in either overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of lymphedema, which in turn results in either over-or undertreatment of this dreaded condition. A higher number of operators were associated with greater P-AVM variability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)440-446
Number of pages7
JournalLymphatic Research and Biology
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • arm volume
  • lymphedema
  • perometer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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