Chemical thoracic sympathectomy for Raynaud disease / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeatic effects of chemical thoracic sympathectomy (CTS) for Raynaud disease. Methods A niddle was injected into the first or second thoraic vertebra from back. A X-ray examination was performed to definite the position of the niddle tip. One millilitre of urographine was injected to determine if it was infused into thoracic cavity. If not, 2 ml of 5% phenol was injected and the niddle was removed. Results Within 10 minutes both pairs of the hands of the two patients with Raynaud's disease turned into flushing and warm from pallor and cool after CTS. Ice-water test changed to negative. Conclusions CTS is of simple, microinvasive and low cost procedure for Raynaud's disease.