Experimental Ascites

SINCE THE observations of Starling in 1894,1a number of studies have demonstrated a marked increase in the flow of lymph in the hepatic hilar lymphatics and thoracic duct in association with experimental ascites,2-5hepatic venous outflow obstruction,6-8and experimental cirrhosis.9-11A similar increase in lymph flow in the thoracic duct has been observed recently in humans with cirrhosis,12-14or congestive heart failure15; and the marked enlargement of the lymphatics in the hilum of the cirrhotic liver, so familiar to surgeons who have performed operations for portal hypertension, has been documented by a careful histopathologic study.16Although the cause of the augmented production of hepatic lymph is not certain, the bulk of evidence indicates that it is in large part a mechanical phenomenon resulting from obstruction to the outflow of blood from the liver sinusoid and the consequent spill-over of the plasma portion