RETROPERITONEAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY FOR LU MBAR SYMPATHECTOMY

Endoscopic surgery has been used as a new procedure to simplify differ ent surgical processes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ben efits of endoscopic retroperitoneal surgery for lumbar sympathectomies . Between February 93 and November 95 we performed 35 lumbar sympathec tomies using this technique. All patients were arteritic. The results were as follows: for 25 % of the patients, conversion classical open t echnique was required; 6 % complications (septic); 3 % of the patients died. In comparing the various techniques of sympathectomy and sympat holysis, it would appear that the endoscopic technique produces fewer complications. However we believe that a learning period is necessary before this technique can be fully mastered.