Surgical anatomy of the termination of the thoracic duct

The thoracic duct termination was dissected and examined in 15 post- mortum cadavers. The pattern of terminatin of the thoracic duct at the venous system was single in 8 cases [53.33%], double in 5 cases [33.33%] and triple in two cases [13.13%]. Variations were observed in the site of termination of the thoracic duct at the venous system. A bicuspid osteal valve was demonstrated grossly and microscopically in all the specimens flush with the venous wall. The histological structure of the wall of the thoracic duct was much similar to that of an equally sized vein with the exception of the greater development of smooth muscles in the tunica media. Based on the results of the present study, the lymph flow from the thoracic into the venous system is explained

Metacarpo-phalageal joint release in the management of post-burn stiff hand

The present work presents the use of metcarpophalangeal [M.P.] joint release in the management of 20 cases with post-burn stiff hand. The paper presents a new modification of the technique of M.P. capsulectomy. The results showed that capsulotomy and release of the M.P. joints in cases of post-burn stiff hand are strongly recommended as evidenced by the good postoperative hand functions in the included cases