[An experimental study on the regeneration of lymphatic vessels after replantation of the limb (author's transl)].

In order to determine the role of the lymphatic vessels in the subsidence of the edema after replantation of the amputated lim the stage of regeneration of lymphatic vessels was studied by 2 ways: lymphangiography and 198Au colloid scinti-scanning with the chronological measurement of the circumference at the thigh and legs of hind limbs from 15 adult dogs which were replanted after the complete amputation. As the results, edema gradually increased after the operation with the maximal rates on the seventh day at the thigh and on the sixth day at the leg. On the other hand, the earliest regeneration of lymphatic vessels at the proximal site of the transection was seen by the lymphangiography on the twelfth day. 198Au colloid scinti-scanning showed that the accumulation of 198Au at the proximal site of transection took place on the tenth day after the subcutaneous injection of 198Au at the distal site of transection. In spite of the fact that there appeared to be more available to find the earliest regeneration of lymphatic vessels by scinti-scanning than by lymphangiography, the former method failed to show any lymphatic drainage at the peak of edema. The lymphatic regeneation was demonstrated by scinti-scanning during the decreasing period of edema and, in consideration of limitation of experimental method, it was strongly suggested that the subsidence of edema depended on the regeneration of lymphatic vessels.