[Analgesic effects of chemical lumbar sympathectomy on refractory pain in the lower limbs].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) on relieving refractory pain in the lower limbs.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with refractory pain in the lower limbs underwent CLS under X-ray guidance, and 2 ml contrast agent was injected at 1/3 of the second L2 vertebrae (the L2 sympathetic ganglion). Lidocaine was then injected followed by injection of 7% phenol for performing CLS. The visual analog scale was used to assess the pain severity before and after CLS. The effect of CLS on relieving lower limb pain was compared with that of oral pain-relieving medication.


RESULTS
The lower limb pain was obviously relieved as shown by significantly decreased VAS scores in these patients after CLS. CLS exhibited a much more potent effect of pain relief in the lower limbs than the oral medication.


CONCLUSIONS
CLS produces significant analgesic effects to relieve refractory pain in the lower limbs.
Yang
Hong-Jun
HJ
Department of Neurology, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou 510010, China.
Peng
Kai-Run
KR
Hu
San-Jue
SJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D019800:Phenol; D013563:Sympathectomy, Chemical / Q000379:methods*
D019800:Phenol; D008012:Lidocaine