Circumaortic cysterna chyli ligation

Abdominal and thoracic lymphangiograms were done on seven dogs by cannulation of a mesenteric lymphatic. Dissection and ligation of the cysterna chyli were attempted in two dogs with poor success. Obstruction of thoracic duct flow by circumaortic ligation of the cysterna chyli was attempted in the remaining five dogs. Repeated contrast studies were done immediately following ligation and again after one to seven weeks. The dogs were killed, and postmortem examinations were done immediately after the third lymphangiogram. The circumaortic ligation was effective in all cases as judged by the immediate follow-up study, however, in three of the subsequent follow-up studies, thoracic duct flow had returned through recanalization past the ligature