[Influence of lumbar sympathectomy on the proportion of amputation (author's transl)].

One hundred and eighty-three lower limbs with arterial occlusion and stade II chronic ischemia were followed for 5 years. Two groups, comparable as to age, sex number and location of lesions were formed by prospective randomization. Ninety limbs were treated by lumbar sympathectomy and 93 were not operated. After 5 years there is no difference between the 2 groups as to mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, claudication or minor or major amputations.