Massive lymphorrhea, containing transudative ascites due to a peritonectomy after undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal
cancer, accompanied by an extended lymphadenectomy, has occasionally been observed but has usually improved spontaneously
within a short period of time. The regeneration of the lymph vessels following lymphadenectomy for gastrointestinal cancer
has been postulated. We investigated the regeneration of the lymph vessels in an animal experimental model undergoing a ligation
and division of the mesenteric lymph trunk. Lymphangiographical studies were made on the first, fourth, and sixth postoperative
day (POD 1, 4, 6). No regeneration of the lymph vessels was observed within 24h after the division. On POD 4, a recommunication
due to regeneration was recognized in 60%. By POD 6, the lymphatics of all cases had recommunicated. This phenomenon of lymphatic
regeneration was therefore confirmed in the medium-sized lymph vessels.
Key Words lymphatic regeneration - lymph node dissection - gastrointestinal carcinoma