Lumbar sympathectomy for toe gangrene. Long-term follow-up.

We carried out a retrospective review of 45 patients (50 limbs) with toe gangrene not amenable to direct arterial surgery, and thus managed by lumbar sympathectomy alone. Follow-up data regarding toe salvage, limb salvage, and limb loss were compiled. At 5 and 8 year follow-up cumulative limb salvage was 71 percent and cumulative toe salvage was 51 percent. The presence of diabetes did not significantly influence limb or toe salvage. Mortality during the immediate postoperative period was 2 percent. In the majority of patients with digital gangrene who are not amenable to arterial surgery, lumbar sympathectomy is of benefit for salvaging the limb and the toes.