Effect of lumbar sympathectomy on tissue blood flow in the extremities in arteriosclerosis obliterans

Lumbar sympathectomy in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of lower extremities in the nearest postoperative period results in acceleration of the intracutaneous blood flow and of intramuscular blood flow as well as in greater extra-tissue blood shunting. At remote terms the intramuscular bloodflow is also accelerated. Patients with the IV degree of ischemia should be divided into two groups according to results of special investigations: patients with traumatic and with ischemic necroses. It is of importance for choice of rational surgical methods and for prognosis of outcomes of the disease.