Ventriculolymphatic shunt.

The authors report the cases of 16 adult patients who underwent ventriculolymphatic shunt procedures with apparent good results. The follow-up period is from 2 to 12 years. The anatomy of the terminal portion of the thoracic duct studied in 51 patients undergoing sympathectomy of the lower cervical-upper thoracic ganglionic chain is reported. The operative technique of the ventriculothoracic duct shunting procedure is described, and a general review of the function of the shunt as compared with that of ventriculoatrial shunts is presented.