Main findings

• The aim of this study was to determine the rates of lymphoedema by BIS using a prospective surveillance model and the effects of early treatment on patient outcomes.
• The final analysis included 354 patients. All patients were female, mean age 59.6 (29–89 years). A total of 220 patients had a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), 108 had axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and 26 patients had a SLNB with a subsequent ALND. Mean length of follow-up was 50 months (range of 12–80 months). Overall, 10.6% of patients (n=38) had early lymphoedema, as defined by an abnormal BIS (L-Dex ratio values above the normal range, or values that have changed by at least 10 L-Dex units from the baseline) reading.
• This study describes a prospective surveillance model, which can be utilised in clinical practice to direct aggressive early therapy.