DOES PERIOPERATIVE GUANETHIDINE PREVENT REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY

The use of intravenous guanethidine blocks is an accepted treatment fo r established reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Some units administe r intravenous guanethidine peri-operatively with the intention of prot ecting their patients from post-operative dystrophy. There have been n o studies confirming this protective effect of peri-operative guanethi dine. Between 1992 and 1994 we performed a prospective randomized doub le blind study in 71 patients undergoing fasciectomy for Duputyren's d isease. Peri-operative guanethidine did not prevent post-operative RSD in our series.