Effect of lumbar sympathectomy on the muscles.

With the physiological data concerning microcirculation and sympathetic control, the author foresees the effects that one must obtain with lumbar sympathectomy. The improvements of cutaneous circulation are usually well known while those of muscular circulation are more debated. To prove it, the author has studied the muscular flow after sympathectomy using Xenon radioactive method and the non invasive electromagnetic flowmetry method. Despite the background of a short experience in this matter, the results seems to point out a beneficial effect of lumbar sympathectomy in muscular circulation at rest and exercise, in patients having obstructive arteriopathies of the lower extremities.