[Ligation of lymphatic ducts in treatment of arteriosclerosis. 550 operated cases reported over a period of 9 years].

In all diseases where there is an important loss of lymph, e.g. chylothorax, chyloperitoneum, exsudative enteropathy chyloduodenal fistula, we observed not only a fall in the serum proteins and calcium, but also a fall in lipids and cholesterol. We first carried out ligature of the lymphatic ducts in numerous dogs. Since 1966, we have carried out this ligature in 550 arteriosclerotic patients, aged less than 52 years. The metabolic changes observed over a period of 9 years were very marked. Clinically, in 100 patients who underwent classical reconstructive arterial surgery, the association of ligature of the lymphatic ducts reduced by half, after a period of 6 years, the complications normally observed.