Сlinical Case of Successful Lumbar Sympathectomy in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract

ABSTRACT. A 53-year-old male patient had extensive traumatic damage to the right lower limb in a car accident that happened 17 years ago, which subsequently led to a large amputation at the hip level. Later, adduction contracture in the right hip joint with a complex regional pain syndrome developed. Due to the ineffectiveness of various methods of conservative treatment, it was decided to perform right-sided lumbar sympathectomy. Ten days later, the patient was discharged for outpatient treatment. The result of the operation was a complete relief of pain syndrome both in the early postoperative and in the long-term periods of time. Despite the large number of types of conservative therapy in modern clinical practice, none of them is perfect. Doctors decide to operate less often, trying to minimize the intervention. However, therapeutic effects are not always possible as monotherapy, often requiring additional treatments. Due to the wide development and distribution of medical products, doctors often neglect or forget about such a method as lumbar sympathectomy. Therefore, the problem of complex regional pain syndrome remains relevant today.

Keywords

• polytrauma
• amputation
• causalgia
• complex regional pain syndrome
• lumbar sympathectomy