The modified skin calipers provide a reproducible and portable method for assessing trunk oedema (Roberts et al. 1995), although data were obtainable in only 21 patients. Four subjects were obese, which created diffi- culties in holding the calipers in place. In two subjects there were difficulties in lifting the skinfold because of radiation damage. Another had scarring from reconstruc- tive surgery and a further subject was unable to tolerate the caliper pressure because of skin sensitivity due to mul- tiple infective episodes.