[An intermittent method for drainage of the thoracic lymphatic duct in chronic lympholeukemia].

The authors presented the results of treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated by cytolysis with the help of an intermittent method of external thoracic lymphatic duct drainage (ETLDD). The method was as follows. A temporary external lymphovenous shunt was created between a siliconized catheter placed surgically in the terminal part of the thoracic lymphatic duct and a subclavicular catheter using a sterile rubber adapter from a drop glass. The use of the method in 7 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia has shown that this therapeutic approach results in a considerable decrease in the level of peripheral blood leukocytes and substantial improvement of the production of red blood cells and platelets.