[Percutaneous radio-frequency sympathetic block in peripheral circulatory disorders]

Thirty patients with inoperable diabetic angiopathies (degree III and IV concerning to Fontaine) were treated by means of percutanous radiofrequency thermolesion of the lumbar sympathetic chain (PRFS). All patients reported immediately after this procedure a distinct feeling of warmth in the treated leg. After a period of 6 month to two years 22 patients were re-examined clinically: Fifteen patients changed to Fontaine IIa and ten patients were free of further complaints. Also an improved wound healing and ulcer demarcation following amputation or skin transplantation was observed. The advantage of PRFS in comparison to the surgical sympathectomy is the fact that there is no general anesthesia necessary, which too minimizes the risk especially for the aged vascular patient. Moreover the patient can be mobilised immediately after the procedure. There were no complications like lesion of the ureter or the genitofemoral nerve as well as bleading into the psoas muscle as reported in percutanous chemical lesion of the sympathetic chain.