Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (Apr 2022)

Schlieren Phenomenon for Identification of Lymphorrhea Point

  • Yohei Sotsuka, MD, PhD,
  • Hanako Wakatsuki, MD, PhD,
  • Ken Matsuda, MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004269
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4
p. e4269

Abstract

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Summary:. Surgical invasion of the lymphatic system can lead to lymphorrhea. Lymphorrhea is first treated conservatively, but is often refractory and subsequently treated surgically. In surgery, it is difficult to identify the lymphatic leak points visually. In this study, we observed the schlieren phenomenon based on the difference in the refractive index between glucose solution and lymph fluid, and were able to easily identify the site of the lymphatic leakage in real time and treat lymphorrhea.