[The microsurgical lymph vessel transplantation].

Using advanced microsurgical techniques, single lymph vessels can be safely anastomosed and segments of lymphatics can bridge localized lymphatic blockades which are mostly due to lymphadenectomies. Lymphatic grafts are harvested from the patient's thigh with a length up to about 30 cm. In the case of an axillary blockade they are anastomosed with ascending lymph vessels at the upper arm and lymph vessels at the supraclavicular region. Unilateral oedemas of lower extremities are treated by transferring the grafts via the symphysis and anastomosing them with ascending lymphatics at the affected side. Lymphoedemas of the penis and the scrotum as well as lymphoedemas due to a localized peripheral lymphatic blockade can be treated by lymphatic grafts. In 127 arm oedemas the original difference in volume between the affected and the healthy arm was reduced at two third from 3368 cm (3) to 2567 cm(3) (p < 0.001). After a follow-up period of 2.6 years the volume was reduced to 2625 cm(3) (p < 0.001). The group of patients with a follow-up of at least ten years showed a volume of 2273 cm(3) (p < 0.001). The volume of unilateral lower extremity-lymphoedemas was reduced from 13 098 cm(3) to 10 578 cm(3) (p < 0.001) and showed a volume of 11 074 cm(3) after 1.7 years (p < 0.001) and 10 692 cm(3) after four years (p < 0.001). The original mean volume of the healthy contralateral leg was 9371 cm(3). Bridging localized gaps in the lymphatic system by autologous lymphatic grafts showed long lasting stable results. Starting the treatment of lymphoedemas by conservative procedures, one should not wait too long to ascertain the possibility of a microsurgical reconstruction in order to avoid increasing secondary tissue changes.