Method for intermittent collection of large volumes of lymph by means of an exteriorized visceral lymphatic truck shunt.

A surgical technique involving a cannulation of the visceral lymphatic truck of the calf was developed to improve the intermittent collection of large volumes of lymph. Catheters were inserted in the visceral lymphatic duct and ligated to form an external loop. Large numbers of pure lymphocytes (2 to 5 x 10(9)) were collected from the lymphatic duct in less than 45 minutes. Drainage from the cannula was maintained on the average for 5 to 7 weeks to periods of up to 14 weeks. Visceral trunk cannulation in calves offers several advantages over the previously described thoracic duct-venous shunt techniques for collection of lymph and entry into the lymphatic circulation.