Current status of lumbar sympathectomy.

A review of a recent series of lumbar sympathectomies would appear to support the continued use of the procedure in the treatment of selected patients with localized pre-gangrenous lesions or superficial ischemic ulcerations in whom arterial reconstructive operation is not feasible. A conclusion regarding the use of the procedure in conjunction with bypass grafting or thromboendarterectomy cannot be made. Indications for the treatment of nonatherosclerotic disease are briefly mentioned. Nevertheless, the morbidity and mortality from the operation itself is significant and suggests that its use as a temporizing measure in highly doubtful cases is not warranted.