Lumbar chemical sympathectomy in end stage of arterial disease: early and late results.

Hemodynamic variables were used to evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar chemical sympathectomy in 20 patients with ischemic foot lesions. Early clinical improvement was obtained in 68% of the cases. The two-year cumulative limb salvage rate was 52%. Results indicate that lumbar chemical sympathectomy offers the same benefits as surgical sympathectomy and represents a useful alternative in patients with advanced ischemic disease of the lower limb, decreasing the rate and the level of amputations.