[The role of lumbar sympathectomy in the treatment of diabetic arterial disease (author's transl)].

220 lumbar sympathectomies were performed in 206 patients. Postoperative mortality morbidity were essentially related to the cardiovascular past history of the patients and indications for surgery must be very carefully weighed, in particular after the age of 70 years. Sympathectomy markedly increases the chances of healing of patients with ischaemic trophic disturbances. It shortens the time required for healing, whatever the type of gangrene.