Protein-losing enteropathy in lymphoedema. Surgical investigation and treatment.

Patients with primary lymphoedema have been tested for protein loss from the gut by the chromium chloride test. In a proportion of patients there is significant loss which may drop the plasma proteins thereby increasing oedema. Three patients were treated by abdominal exploration, mesenteric lymphography and resection of the worst affected length of gut. There was clinical and biochemical improvement and no complication.