Bridging a lymphatic vessel defect using vein interposition (an experimental study)

: By means of improved microvascular surgery 10-15 mm long vein grafts were interposed into the lymphatic vessels in the groin area of 12 dogs. 6-12 weeks later a histological, clinical and radiological reexamination was performed. In 8 cases out of the 12 the interposed veins were patent, in 4 cases the lumina were occluded by fibrotic tissue. The clinical application of lymphatic vessel-defects in cases of lymphedemas is discussed.