Clinical Evaluation of Lumbar Sympathectomy for the Treatment of Buerger's Disease

ABSTRACT

The lumbar sympathectomy was performed for the treatment of 25 patients with Buerger's disease. 80% of patients received lumbar sympathectomy achieved improvement of clinical symptoms and signs. The lumbar sympathectomy had good results in following cases 1) Patients with resection of L1 sympathetic ganglion which was performed completely, anatomically and widely. 2) Patient received operation within the 6th months of initial occurrence of symptoms. 3) Patients which main symptoms were rest pain, coldness and numbness. In case of resection which was included of L1 sympathetic ganglion, postoperative skin temperature measured on medial aspect of tibia was higher than normal side about 1degrees C. The prognosis was poor in patients which ulceration and necrosis were previously existed. Stop smoking must be preceded for the treatment of Buerger's disease.