ABSTRACT
Studies of the composition of the peripheral lymph may give some insight into the tissue changes following chemical injury. Injury to the hind limb was caused by injection of either dimethylsulfoxide, which produces a mild injury, or croton oil, which produces severe injury. As a consequence of lymphatic injury lymphedema, lymphorrhea, chylothorax, chyloperitoneum, chylopericardium, and lymphatic pseudocysts may develop. Interruption of lymphatic circulation seems to be the main cause for development of edema after femoro-popliteal arterial reconstructive surgery. Development of edema depends on several factors: number of injured lymphatics, the speed of development of new lymphatic connections, coexistence of deep thrombophlebitis with venous blood stasis and subsequent lymph overproduction, preexistence of idiopathic lymph stasis, and postischemic capillary permeability with high filtration rate and augmented lymph production. Removal of lymph vessels and nodes is accompanied by complications of various types, which may also have influence on the future development of lymphedema.
