Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of regular treatment plus air wave pressure therapy for erysipelas of the upper limb on the operated side following modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. Methods: The data of 18 breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy who developed postoperative erysipelas of the upper limb on the operated side in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2013 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 10 patients underwent regular treatment for erysipelas (regular treatment group), and 8 cases received air wave pressure therapy on the basis of regular treatment (combined treatment group). The main clinical variables between the two groups of patients were compared. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of age, proportion of radiotherapy cases, skin damage, body mass index, underlying diseases and severity of edema of the affected upper limb (all P>0.005). The conditions of all the 18 patients were significantly improved after treatment, but the average length of hospital stay in combined treatment group was significantly shortened compared with regular treatment group (10.9 d vs. 14.5 d, P=0.001). Conclusion: Combined air wave pressure therapy can remarkably improve the treatment effect on upper limb erysipelas following modified radical mastectomy and effectively reduce the treatment time.