A comparison of regional intravenous guanethidine and reserpine in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A controlled, randomized, double-blind crossover study.

Both regional intravenous guanethidine and reserpine have been reported as effective in the treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Reserpine depletes storage of norepinephrine, and guanethidine interferes with transport of norepinephrine while depleting storage in the sympathetic nerve terminal. The purpose of this study was to compare drug efficacy in double-blind fashion.

A two-person technique for epidural needle placement and medication infusion.

Traditional techniques of epidural needle placement have not proved satisfactory in patients who have had a previous laminectomy and may have epiduroarachnoiditis. A two-person technique was developed to: 1) simplify performance of difficult, epidural needle placement; 2) allow both resident and staff a simultaneous "hands-on" teaching experience; 3) allow a painless method of medication administration in patients with altered epidural anatomy; and 4) allow a simple method for determination of epidural space pressures. A glass syringe and extension tubing filled with saline are connected to the epidural needle.