[The role of lumbar sympathectomy. Review of the cases performed between 1950 and 1955 (author's transl)].

This reviews 839 isolated lumbar sympathectomy performed between 1950 and 1975. The patients are stratified by decades and grouped in 3 periods : 1950 to 1959, 1960 to 1969 and 1970 to 1975. In the first period most patients were between 50 and 59 years old; in the last period most were between 60 and 69 years old. At this time direct vascular reconstruction had become more frequent. The approach described by Pearls was used exclusively in the last period. Isolated lumbar sympathectomy yields a symptomatic improvement. Best results are obtined in peripheral and isolated lesions.