Abstract: Objective: To explore the application effect of "Internet +" nursing mode intervention on lymphedema among postoperative breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 294 patients who underwent radical mastectomy of breast cancer from April to December 2018 were recruited and divided into the control group (from April to June) and the intervention group (from October to December). Patients in the control group received routine rehabilitation guidance after surgery, while the patients in the intervention group received the “Internet +” nursing mode based on the routine rehabilitation. We collected the data of the parameters of lymphedema symptoms at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after sugery, separately, and then related indicators such as edema appearance and related distress. We also compared the difference in peripheral limb diameters between the two groups and conducted the early monitoring of lymphedema. Results: The difference of the peripheral limbs between the two groups was statistically significant at 1 month after operation (P<0.05). The patients in the intervention group did not develop breast cancer related upper extremity lymphedema within 12 months after surgery, but two patients in the control group developed lymphedema. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the edema appearance, symptom distress, and symptom experience between the two groups over time and between groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: In order to prevent lymphedema among postoperative breast cancer patients, the "Internet+" nursing mode can play a significant role and has great potential for clinical application.

Key words: Internet+; breast cancer; lymphedema; nursing