Idrees Anwar, Nadeem Akthar, Faisal Murad.
Randomized control trial of open Lumbar Sympathectomy versus vasodilators in management of peripheral vascular disease of lower limb.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;1(2):84-7.

Background: Vasodilator drugs and lumbar sympathectomy both are effective in rest pain and ischaemia of lower limbs in peripheral vascular disease. Objective: To see the effectiveness of vasodilator drugs ± anti coagulant and lumbar sympathectomy in the management of peripheral vascular disease. Patients and Methods: A total number of 58 patients were included in this study. The study was carried out at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Jan 1997 - Jan 2003. Main outcome measures were rest pain, claudication distance and computation rate. Results: Group A (28 patients) were treated by open lumbar sympathectomy and group B (30) were treated by Heparin/warfarin followed by preixcline. Group A had better relief of rest pain, better quality of life and low amputation rate. Conclusion: Lumbar sympathectomy is better option than medical treatment for peripheral vascular diseases, in terms of pain relief, quality of life and amputation rate.

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