Lymphedema Development and Lymphatic Function following Lymph Node Excision in Sheep

Abstract

Following nodal excision, the limbs became progressively more edematous up to 3 days after nodectomy. After this, the swelling decreased but had not resolved even at 16 weeks after surgery. Compared with control limbs (17.2 +/- 0.6; n = 7), lymphatic function was depressed at 8 weeks after surgery (10.6 +/- 1.5; n = 7). At 12 (14.4 +/- 1.0; n = 7) and 16 weeks (13.9 +/- 1.0; n = 6), regeneration of lymphatic vessels at the excision site helped to restore about 80% of lymphatic capacity. These techniques may be helpful in understanding the pathophysiology associated with cancer-related postsurgical lymphedema and may facilitate the development of new strategies to treat or prevent this condition.