China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ›› 2025, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (5): 523-526.doi: 10.19438/j.cjoms.2025.05.015

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Current status of clinical research on cervical lymphatic surgery for Alzheimer's disease

Chen Youjun1, Li Xia2, Wang Yan'an3, Zhang Zhiyuan3, Ren Zhenhu3   

  1. 1. College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shanghai 200125;
    2. Shanghai Mental Health Center. Shanghai 200030;
    3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology. Shanghai 200011, China
  • Received:2025-04-07 Revised:2025-06-27 Published:2025-10-10

Abstract: Cervical lymphatic surgery, as an emerging therapeutic strategy, aims to alleviate the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by improving brain lymphatic drainage. Studies suggest that the cervical lymphatic system is closely associated with the clearance of brain waste products, and its dysfunction may lead to AD-related protein deposition and neurodegenerative pathologies. Currently, surgical techniques such as lymphovenous anastomosis have been attempted to restore lymphatic drainage. However, related clinical research remains in its preliminary investigation stages, with evidence primarily based on small-sample case reports and short-term observational outcomes. Although initial data indicate symptom improvement in some patients, there is a lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials and long-term efficacy validation, and the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely explained. Existing evidence is insufficient to support the widespread clinical application of this therapy, requiring further high-quality research to clarify its safety and efficacy.

Key words: Cervical lymphatic surgery, Alzheimer's disease, Cervical shunting to unclog cerebral lymphatic systems

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