Breaking the barrier of Oedema: Optimising ERAS pathways with active technology

In the modern surgical landscape, the success of a procedure is increasingly defined by the efficiency of the post-operative pathway. For surgeons and specialists across ANZ, the goal is clear: reduce complications, minimise hospital length-of-stay, and return the patient to functional independence as safely as possible.

However, the physiological barrier of post-operative oedema often stands in the way of these goals. At Lightly Medical, we provide the tools to break that barrier through active physiological intervention.

The muscle pump activator: Mimicking ambulation while stationary

The primary challenge of early post-operative care is patient immobility. Stagnation in the lower limbs is the precursor to both swelling and more serious complications like VTE. The geko® device offers a clinically proven solution by acting as a muscle pump activator

• Common Peroneal Nerve Stimulation: By delivering a gentle electrical pulse to the common peroneal nerve, the geko® activates the calf and foot muscle pumps triggering low-force isometric muscle contraction. This is not passive compression; it is an active neuromuscular mimic of the haemodynamics of walking, delivering a painless 1Hz contraction every second.
• Triple-Stream Circulation: This stimulation has the unique ability to increase venous, arterial, and microcirculation simultaneously. This ensures that oxygenated blood reaches the surgical site while deoxygenated blood and interstitial fluid are efficiently cleared.
• Quantifiable Impact: Clinical data demonstrates alongside blood flow in the deep veins of the calf equivalent to 60% of walking. In orthopaedic cases, clinical studies including a randomised trial in hip replacement patients have demonstrated meaningful oedema reduction compared to compression stockings, alongside a significant return to normal skin integrity in chronic, recalcitrant cases where traditional therapies have stalled.

Strategic value: Reducing VTE risk and accelerating discharge

For the surgical specialist, the geko® is more than a device, it is a critical tool for risk mitigation and workflow optimisation within the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework.

• Preventing Complications: By maintaining high-volume blood flow while the patient remains stationary, surgeons can significantly reduce the risk of VTE and wound-site complications.
• Predictable Discharge Windows: Excessive postoperative swelling is a leading cause of delayed discharge. By actively preventing and treating oedema, the geko® helps stabilise the patient’s condition, leading to more predictable discharge times and improved bed turnover for the hospital.
• Seamless Integration: The device is small, silent, and requires zero specialised patient positioning or bulky external power, making it a versatile adjunct that integrates seamlessly into a surgeon’s existing post-op protocols.Weighing just 10g with no wires or leads, it can be worn continuously in ward and home settings - a true hospital to home therapy.

Lightly, but powerfully: Elevating surgical standards

Lightly Medical is committed to providing the ANZ surgical community with the depth of knowledge required to master these advanced technologies. We believe that by understanding the science behind the technology - specifically neuromuscular electrostimulation and its proven haemodynamic effects - we help surgeons deliver a higher standard of care.

We provide the clinical expertise and specialised technology required to redefine the partnership between industry and medicine—lightly, but powerfully.