title: Does peri-operative guanethidine prevent reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
abstract: The use of intravenous guanethidine blocks is an accepted treatment for established reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Some units administer intravenous guanethidine peri-operatively with the intention of protecting their patients from post-operative dystrophy. There have been no studies confirming this protective effect of peri-operative guanethidine. Between 1992 and 1994 we performed a prospective randomized double blind study in 71 patients undergoing fasciectomy for Duputyren's disease. Peri-operative guanethidine did not prevent post-operative RSD in our series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Kantonsspital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gschwind
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fricker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lacher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013565:Sympatholytics; D006145:Guanethidine