Experimental and First Clinical Experiences in the Treatment of Lymphedema by Lymph Vessel-Transplantation

Secondary lymphedema, mainly due to an iatrogen or traumatic blockage of lymph vessels at the axilla or at the groin, is caused by a deficiency of the lymph-transporting capacity. ¹ Attempts to solve this problem by creating peripheral lympho-nodulo and lymphovenous anastomoses ^2,3 risk failure because of at least partly, a higher pressure in the venous system compared to the lymphatic system. ⁴ Additionally, the higher clotting ability of blood compared to that of lymph ⁵ leads to a remarkable thrombosing rate of the artificial anastomoses between the lymphatic and the venous system at peripheral sites.