Xiangya Hospital Tang Juyu Team Performs World's First Omental Lymph Node Transplantation for Severe Alzheimer's Disease

Background

On May 13, 2025, the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University announced that Professor Tang Juyu's team had performed what it described as the world's first free omental lymph node tissue flap transplantation for severe Alzheimer's disease. The procedure built on the team's prior experience with modified deep cervical lymphatic-venous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node flap transposition. The patient, Mr. Ge from Hunan Province, developed symptoms at age 58, was diagnosed seven years before surgery, and presented with an MMSE score of 0 and CDR grade of 3, consistent with severe dementia.

What was achieved

A vascularized omental lymph node flap carrying gastroepiploic vessels was harvested laparoscopically. The flap was divided into two segments and transplanted as free flaps to the original sites of the deep cervical lymph nodes bilaterally, with microvascular anastomosis performed under an operating microscope. The procedure lasted approximately five hours. The patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative day 7. According to reports, his cognitive and mental status improved significantly: he became calmer and stopped frequent outbursts and swearing; he began responding to questions instead of remaining silent or speaking incoherently; he showed partial recognition of familiar people; and he verbally expressed thanks, repeating the word "thank you" during ward rounds.

How it works

The omental flap is transferred to the neck as a free tissue transfer, meaning it is completely detached and then reattached by connecting its blood vessels (gastroepiploic artery and vein) to recipient vessels in the neck, such as branches of the facial vessels. The anastomosis is completed under high magnification with an operating microscope to ensure patency. Once revascularized, the transplanted lymph nodes are intended to function in their new location. Professor Tang Juyu described the principle as analogous to replacing a clogged filter in a water purifier: the new, functional lymph nodes act simultaneously as a "pump" to move fluid and a "bridge" to direct intracranial lymphatic fluid into the systemic venous circulation for eventual clearance by the body.

What it means for international patients

Availability and eligibility for such procedures must be confirmed directly with the hospital, as they depend on individual clinical assessment, multidisciplinary review, imaging findings, overall health status suitable for general anesthesia and laparoscopic surgery, and patient or family consent. Patients should contact the International Medical Center for current protocols, evaluation processes, and any ongoing clinical research frameworks.

About the hospital

The hospital operates an International Medical Center that achieved international accreditation and focuses on high-end and foreign patient care with English-speaking staff, private rooms, and coordination services. In 2025, the hospital reported 1,761 foreign patient visits, a six-fold increase from the prior year. It has consistently received top-tier ratings in national public hospital performance assessments and ranks highly in biomedical research output, placing 14th globally and second in China in a 2025 index measuring publications in Cell, Nature, and Science and their core sub-journals.