Prediction of the needed level of sympathectomy for posttraumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy

The course of 2 patients with posttraumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy is presented and discussed. The importance of determining the exact level of sensory blockade in order to know the necessary level of the sympathectomy is emphasized. It is suggested that in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, the diagnosis should include the exact upper anatomical level of sympathetic truncus involvement, which can be easily achieved with sensory epidural blockade.