Neuralgia following lumbar sympathectomy

Between March and October 1986, 33 consecutive patients underwent unilateral lumbar sympathectomy in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Unit of the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium. Ten patients experienced postsympathectomy neuralgia. After a single epidural injection of fentanyl, 50 micrograms, and methylprednisolone 80 mg, pain disappeared completely in six patients. Neuralgia recurred in four patients requiring repeat epidural injection with relief of residual symptoms. Epidural infiltration is a reliable treatment for neuralgia after lumbar sympathectomy.