Brain lymphatic drainage pathways, deep cervical lymphatic surgery, and current insights: A systematic review.

Abstract

The discovery of the glymphatic system and the later rediscovery of the meningeal lymphatic network have significantly changed our understanding of central nervous system (CNS) waste clearance. Aging is linked to a gradual decline in these clearance pathways, resulting in waste buildup. As a result, therapeutic strategies targeting cerebral lymphatic function have garnered growing interest, with lymphatic surgery emerging as a promising option. We conducted a review until July 2025, providing an overview of the potential of lymphatic surgical techniques to enhance CNS metabolic waste clearance pathways as a therapeutic approach for brain lymphatic system disorders. Currently available data are limited, nine publications addressing this approach. These studies explore an innovative technique involving lymphatico-venous anastomoses (LVA) targeting deep cervical lymphatic vessels to promote clearance for the treatment of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. Cerebral lymphatic drainage is critical for effective brain waste elimination such as amyloid-β, phosphorylated tau, and α-synuclein, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Viewing these lymphatic dysfunctions as a form of "cerebral lymphedema," LVA, already used in treating peripheral lymphedema, shows potential as a therapeutic approach. Although clinical evidence is still limited, lymphatic supermicrosurgery presents promising therapeutic possibilities for neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions related to impaired CNS lymphatic outflow.