Treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type I of the hand with a series of intravenous regional sympathetic blocks with guanethidine and lidocaine.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of guanethidine and lidocaine in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I of the hand. Seventeen patients, aged between 33 and 72 years, suffering from CRPS type I of the hand received two series of intravenous regional sympathetic block (Bier's block) sessions with guanethidine and lidocaine according to the following therapeutic protocol: (1) 5 sessions (once every second day) composed of intravenous regional administration of 15 mg guanethidine and 1 mg lidocaine/kg body weight each and (2) 20 sessions (twice a week) composed of intravenous regional administration of 10 mg guanethidine and 1 mg lidocaine/kg body weight each. Complete disappearance of pain and return of the normal function and movement of the extremity were achieved. No side effects were observed. The above-described therapeutic protocol method resulted in excellent pain relief and full restoration of both function and range of movement of the affected extremity in 17 patients suffering from CRPS type I of the hand.
Paraskevas
Kosmas I
KI
Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Michaloglou
Alexandra A
AA
Briana
Despina D
DD
Samara
Maria
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013565:Sympatholytics; D008012:Lidocaine; D006145:Guanethidine