Second thoracic sympathetic ganglionectomy in sympathetically maintained pain.

Herz, D A; Looman, J E; Ford, R D; Gostine, M L; Davis, F N; VandenBerg, W C · J Pain Symptom Manage · 1993

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Twenty-four individuals with sympathetically maintained pain were treated by posterior paravertebral T2 sympathectomy following transient response to sympathetic nerve blockade. Eight surgical patients (33.4%) had causalgia, and 16 patients (66.4%) suffered with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Overall, physical evidence of improvement was noted in 87% of surgical patients, with subjective improvement in 71%. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy patients fared better than those with causalgia. Complications were minor. The techniques employed appear safe and effective; a multidisciplinary approach with neurosurgery, physiatry, anesthesiology, psychology, and allied health services is recommended.

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