A Novel Compression Garment With a Dynamic External Lymphatic Drainage System: A Proof of Concept Study.

[BACKGROUND] Postoperative compression has been widely used for over half a century to reduce lymphatic stasis, pain, and edema, while promoting healing and optimal skin redraping. However, most commercially available garments share similar designs, with little innovation in recent decades.

[OBJECTIVES] To present and evaluate a novel compression garment integrating an external lymphatic drainage system designed to enhance postoperative recovery.

[METHODS] Based on anatomical lymphatic pathways, we developed and patented a novel compression garment (Drain Lipo Panty®, DLP) incorporating skin-adherent silicone strips aligned with physiological drainage lines. Prototype garments were designed with unilateral silicone integration, allowing intra-patient comparison. This prospective, single-center study included patients undergoing lipoabdominoplasty and/or lower-limb liposuction. Assessments were performed at postoperative days 0, 7, 15, 30, and 60 by an independent evaluator. Outcomes included objective edema measurements, standardized photographic analysis, and patient-reported comfort scores.

[RESULTS] Fifty-two patients were included (mean follow-up: 2 months). The silicone-strip side showed faster edema resorption and improved skin recovery. In the lipoabdominoplasty group, edema reduction was significantly greater at day 30 (T1, = .001; T2, = .004). In the lower-limb liposuction group, mean circumference reduction was 8.68 cm with the silicone garment vs 6.40 cm with the standard garment ( < .001).

[CONCLUSIONS] This novel compression garment with integrated silicone drainage strips demonstrated faster edema resolution, earlier ecchymosis recovery, and improved skin redraping, suggesting a beneficial role in postoperative lymphatic rehabilitation.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE] : 3 (Therapeutic).