[Initial experience with transabdominal chemical sympathectomy in arterial occlusive diseases of the lower...

Twenty transabdominal unilateral lumbar sympathectomies were performed by the Chiba needle under the control of computer tomography. The intervention was made for advanced occlusive disease of lower extremities, where a reconstruction surgery was not possible. In nine patients under evaluation, excellent effect was seen in two, marked effect in two others, uncertain one in another patient while four patients were without any gain. An alcoholic solution containing a local long-term acting anaesthetic and a contrast medium was used as a blocking agent. The method may be useful even in an advanced disease and extends the series of diapeutic methods.