[The value of contrast lymphography in the planning of abdominal surgery]

Contrast lymphography is a significant diagnostic method for metastatic changes discovery in lymph nodes of pelvic and abdominoretroperitoneal area. Preoperatively it enables surgeon to plan the surgical treatment, and postoperatively it is indispensable for the successful treatment and radiotherapy planning. From 1965-1977. yrs. 325 contrast lymphographies were accomplished. The patients with urinary bladder and rectum carcinomas were examined. The ones with pelvic and long bones tumors were presented too, because of the congruent lymph supply and insufficient reviews in literature. Lymphographically visible metastases were pathologically proved in more than 80% of cases. For better visibility of lymph nodes during the surgical treatment, in 100 cases, chromolymphography was applied. There were no complications before or after the performance of the method. In less visible changes, supplementary researches should be accomplished to make the changes interpretation more reliable.