[Lymphophlebographic studies in arm edema].

Using the results of single and bicollector lymphography noticeable pathological vascular changes of the posterolateral and anteromedial collectors with the prevalence of a complete blocks of the lymph flow were found in 64 patients with the postmastectomy syndrome. The vessels were blocked on the shoulder level in 65%, in the irradiation zone in 22% and on the forearm in 13% of cases. The lymph outflow in secondary edema of the upper limb was compensated for at the expense of the 2nd order vessels (45%), collateral detours (18.4%), junctions between the superficial collectors (30.6%), between the superficial and deep vessels (12.2%) as well as lymphovenous anastomoses (6.1%). In 55% of the patients with the postmastectomy syndrome, edema of the upper limb is caused by combined injuries of the lymphatic and venous outflow, and in 45% by disturbed permeability of the lymphatic collectors only.