[Evaluation of the results of lumbar sympathectomy using hemodynamic variables]

In order to evaluate the results of the lumbar sympathectomy, we studied 49 patients in the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery during two years. The hemodynamic tests were performed the day before and one month after the surgical intervention; they included: skin thermometry, measurement of arterial blood flow and resistance in the foot and in the leg, and reactive hyperemia under photoplethysmographic control. Objectively, it could be seen only an increase in the distal skin temperature and an increase of skin blood flow after this treatment.