[Oxygen tension in tissues of the extremities during lumbar sympathectomy]

Measurements of oxygen tension in the lower extremity skin in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis has revealed the basal decrease of tissue oxygenation. Lumbar sympathectomy caused a temporary aggravation of regional hypoxia resulting from reflex responses to mechanical irritation of autonomic ganglions during operation. A preliminary injection of pentamine, blockade of lumbar ganglia with novocaine, sparing technique of ganglionectomy considerably reduced or even prevented hypoxic reaction of tissues. The efficiency of the operation is dependent on the degree of basal arterial ischemia, stage of the disease and technique of performing sympathectomy.