Relationship between lymphatic and venous pressure in normal and lymphedematous rabbit ears.

Studies of lymphatic and venous pressures of normal and lymphedematous rabbit ears reveal the end pressure of lymphatics to be higher than the venous pressure. Massage of the related rabbit ear increases the lymphatic pressures and can markedly raise the side and end pressures within the lymphatic wall. The venous pressures are not much affected by massaging the rabbit ear. Fluctuations in lymphatic pressure are observed with the naked eye which are associated with spontaneous and intrinsic rhythmic contraction of lymphatics. During the contraction of lymphatics the lymphatic pressure is much higher than the venous pressure. All the facts point to the conclusion that the microlymphaticovenous anastomosis for treating lymphedema has a bright future.