Pressure of lymphatic capillaries in human skin.

The network of lymphatic capillaries of the human skin was depicted at the distal part of the tibial plateau by fluorescence microlymphography (fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 150,000). Intralymphatic pressure was determined in 28 lymphatic capillaries of 21 healthy volunteers (mean diameter 56.0 +/- 10.0 microns) by a servo-nulling pressure system. It averaged 4.0 +/- 4.5 mmHg (range: -6.8 to +10.7 mmHg). These are the first measurements of pressure in the initial lymphatics of human skin and form a basis with which to compare measurements made in patients with different forms of edema.