Modern clinical and physiological bases of super microsurgery. The view of a physiologist and surgeons

This paper is a retrospective analysis of the long-term work of a large group of Russian scientists representing various Medical Institutions of St. Petersburg (in the past years of Leningrad) in the period from the 70s of the XX century to the present in the field of theoretical clinical lymphology. We aimed to discuss critical studies of a group of anatomists, in the sphere of the structure of lymphangions and lymph nodes in health and lymphedema of the lower extremities in humans. Experimental data of physiologists are presented, which made it possible for the first time to substantiate the functional mechanisms of active lymph transport in health and in lymphedema of the lower extremities. In addition, there are some results of testing biopsy specimens with various pharmacological agents and vasoactive substances. At last, there is an example of the clinical use of theoretical knowledge in the tactics of choice and expediency of surgical treatment of lymph drainage disorders in patients is given.