[The lymphatic system of the lower extremities in patients with obliterating diseases of the terminal portion of the aorta and its branches].

The paper deals with the results of X-ray lymphographic and morphological studies of the peripheral lymphatic system in 82 patients with various stages of chronic lower extremity arterial insufficiency. Destructive and sclerotic changes in lymphatic vessels, inguinal lymph nodes, and impairments in lymph flow whose severity was in proportion to the stage of chronic ischemia were detected. The associated immune, barrier-filtration and transport dysfunctions called for their adequate correction. In patients with Stages II and III ischemia, direct controlled endolymphatic therapy promotes the improvement of tissue lymphatic drainage and hemocirculation in the diseased extremity and recovery of immune homeostasis in the region.