[Comparative evaluation of local 02 consumption in lumbar sympathetic infiltration as compared with acupuncture]

The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of lower limb obliterating arteritis as an alternative to pharmacological sympatheticolumbar block was assessed by comparing local O2 consumption in the ischaemic extremity. It was found that both techniques lead to vasodilation sufficient to normalise local values. Acupuncture, however, has a more protracted effect up to 24 hr., as compared with only 12 hr after pharmacological block.