[Lumbar sympathectomy literature review over the past 15 years].
BACKGROUND
Lumbar sympathectomy (LS) irreversibly damages a part of the sympathetic trunk and adjacent ganglia between L1 and L5, typically between L2 and L4. The first LS was performed in 1923. Initially, it used to be performed very often; however, with the progress of vascular and endovascular surgery its importance gradually continues to decline. The aim of the paper is to present literature review focusing on LS over the past 15 years.


METHODS
Literature review of 113 academic articles found in academic journal databases.


METHODS
Irreversible interruption of the efferent innervation leads to relative vasodilation of small vessels in lower extremities (α1-receptors blockade), and it reduces the volume of sweat due to inactivation of eccrine glands and nociception from lower limbs.


METHODS
Raynaud´s phenomenon, thromboangitis obliterans, non-revascularizable peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (Fontain grade III-IV), hyperhidrosis, persistent pain in lower extremities, chronic pain of amputation stump, frostbites, chilblains.Effect: The three largest studies showed a positive effect in 63.6-93.4% cases of PAD and in 97%100% cases of hyperhidrosis. The positive effect was defined as warmer lower extremities, increased blood flow, acceleration of chronic defects healing, sweating disappearance and pain reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
Lumbar sympathectomy still remains a useful method in the treatment of above mentioned diseases if properly indicated.


BACKGROUND
lumbar sympathectomy - Raynaud´s phenomenon - thromboangitis obliterans -peripheral arterial disease - hyperhidrosis.
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M
Pekař
M
M
Mazur
A
A
Pekařová
J
J
Kozák
A
A
Foltys
D002647:Chilblains / Q000601:surgery*; D005627:Frostbite / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000601:surgery*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000601:surgery*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D013562:Sympathectomy; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000601:surgery*