2ND THORACIC SYMPATHETIC GANGLIONECTOMY IN SYMPATHETICALLY MAINTAINEDPAIN

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