ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of chemical lumbar sympathectomy in relieving pain and healing ischaemic ulcers in patients with peripheral vascular diseases. Thirty-one consecutive patients with ischaemic/ gangrenous lower limb ulcers, referred to the BPKIHS, Pain Clinic were observed prospectively after chemical lumbar sympathectomy using modified Reid Technique with 3 ml of 70% alcohol each at L2 and L3 level under fluoroscopic guidance. Pain relief and ulcer healing were noted in the follow up. Moreover, patients' abilities to resume at least part of their day to day work were also noted at three months follow up. Of the total 31 patients, 16 had Buerger's disease and the remaining 15 had non-Buerger's ischaemic ulcers of which 7 were diabetic. There was significant decrease in the pain score from mean+/-SD of 8.3+/-0.9 (pre-block) to 4.2+/-2.5 (post-block after 3 days) in zero to 10 Numerical Analogue Scale (NAS). By 3 months, 6 patients declined for follow up; 19(76%) of the remaining 25 patients reported pain relief, 18(72%) reported healing or decrease in the size of ulcers and 11(44%) were able to resume at least part of their usual work. Minor complications occurred in 5 patients and amputation was needed in 6 patients. Fluoroscopy- guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy is feasible, safe and effective in relieving pain and promoting ulcer healing in patients with ischaemic lower limb ulcers due both to Buerger's disease and non-Buerger's peripheral vascular diseases.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Diabetic Angiopathies/therapy , Female , Fluoroscopy/methods , Follow-Up Studies , Gangrene/etiology , Humans , Ischemia/therapy , Leg Ulcer/therapy , Lumbosacral Region , Male , Middle Aged , Pain/etiology , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/therapy , Prospective Studies , Sympathectomy, Chemical/methods , Thromboangiitis Obliterans , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Objetivo: Informar la experiencia clínica de los autores con el empleo de la simpatectomía lumbar en el anciano. Diseño: Informe de casos, observacional, retrospectivo y sin grupo control. Sede: Hospital A.B.C. México, D.F. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron pacientes ancianos (mayores de 60 años), quienes presentaron insuficiencia arterial severa en miembros pélvicos. Se hizó estudio clínico, ultrasonográfico y angiográfico en todos ellos. Resultados: Correspondieron al sexo masculino 10 pacientes y 5 al femenino, sus edades fueron de 75 a 92 años, 10 presentaron claudicación intermitente de los 20 a 50 pasos y 5 no caminaban. En todos hubo dolor severo en pierna y pie. El US Doppler demostró pulso en femorales y poplíteas, sin flujo distal en tibiales, la arteriografía demostró obstrucción en diferentes niveles con presencia de circulación colateral. Se efecturaon 15 simpatectomías lumbares, quirúrgica en 12 y química en 3; ocho bajo anestesia general, cuatro mediante bloqueo epidural y 3 con anestesia local. La mejoría fue buena a regular en 14 de los 15 enfermos; seis de ellos (40 por ciento) requirieron de amputación, el 60 por ciento restante (9 enfermos) mejoraron entre 6 y 12 meses. Cinco fallecieron por problemas cardiovasculares y/o renales. Conclusión: Aunque la respuesta clínica a la simpatectomía lumbar es buena, ya que mejora las condiciones clínicas del paciente, es sólo un método paliativo