[Influence of stellate ganglion resection on intracranial pressure]

This study was designed to investigate the influence of stellate ganglion resection on intracranial pressure and blood flow through common carotid and vertebral arteries in 10 mongrel dogs. Following anesthesia with diazepam and pancuronium, each dog was intubated and ventilated to maintain normocapnia. Intracranial pressure was measured with a subdural catheter (Nihon Koden) inserted through right and left temporal burr holes. The right and left common carotid and vertebral arteries were surgically identified, and blood flow estimated with an ultrasonic probe (Transonic T201). After baseline measurement, the stellate ganglion was resected on the right side in 5 dogs, and on the left in the remaining animals. There were no significant change in intracranial pressure. After stellate ganglion resection, there was a significant increase in blood flow through the ipsilateral common carotid and vertebral arteries, but there were significant decreases in flow through the contralateral vessels.