Lymphographic changes at some reconstructive procedures on vessels of the lower extremities
Kutarna, A.; Kĺacko, J.; Zernovický, F.
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 76(4): 496-507
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-9248 PMID: 7296331 Document Number: 176319
At reconstructive surgical procedures on the vessels of the lower extremities for obliterative syndrome, the lymphatic collectors are severed by the operative incision. Conditions for obstruction of the lymphatic circulation and ensuing changes are being created. Lymphographic examinations of the lower extremities were performed to elucidate the causes leading to postoperative edemas of the leg and ankle. In 2 of the 8 patients, preoperative lymphography was carried out; all these patients underwent postoperative lymphography 7-9 days following procedure and 1 patient also 9 mo. after operation. Postoperative edema developed in 5 of the operated-on patients. It disappeared in 4 of them after consolidation of the local conditions, in 1 patient it persisted as a bilateral edema of cardiac origin. On the basis of the anatomical picture and the circulation dynamics of the contrast medium at lymphography of the lower extremities, the cause of postoperative edemas of the lower extremities apparently is primarily a mechanical one. Severing of the lymphatic collectors and their oppression by the adjacent postoperatively swollen tissue have to be implicated as being the major causative factors.