Adventitial stripping: a digit saving procedure in refractory Raynaud's phenomenon

To assess the efficacy and role of adventitial stripping (i.e., digital sympathectomy) in patients with severe digital ischemia secondary to refractory Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

A retrospective chart review of 13 consecutive cases of adventitial stripping in 9 patients with severe secondary RP was performed, examining patient characteristics, previous therapeutic interventions, and postoperative outcomes. An illustrative case is presented.

All identified patients had evidence of systemic disease. After adventitial stripping, sustained longterm improvement was achieved in all 13 ischemic digits, 8 of which showed amelioration of symptoms immediately after surgery. In 2 patients, sustained improvement was noted despite progressive ischemia in nonoperated digits. The mean followup time was 28 months (range 10 to 47). No postoperative complications were observed. Pre-operative sympathetic nerve blockade was performed in 12 of the cases, of which 10 showed no clinical response. Pathologic specimens revealed adventitial fibrosis that caused extrinsic compression of the digital arteries.

Adventitial stripping of digital arteries is an extremely effective and safe option for patients with severe digital ischemia secondary to refractory RP. The efficacy of this procedure results not only from sympathetic denervation but also from decompression of the ischemic vessel through removal of a fibrotic and noncompliant adventitia. Because of the effects of this extrinsic vascular compression, lack of response to pre-operative sympathetic nerve blockade is not predictive of postoperative outcomes.