Reflex sympathetic dystrophy--the surgeon's role in management.

It is important for vascular surgeons to be familiar with reflex sympathetic dystrophy because they may be called on to participate in the evaluation and treatment of patients with this syndrome. Over a 3 1/2-year period, 35 patients, initially evaluated by a team of pain experts, were referred for surgical sympathectomy for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. All patients had at least one positive diagnostic sympathetic block before they were considered for surgical sympathectomy.

Combined thrombectomy and dilation for the treatment of acute lower extremity arterial thrombosis.

Our experience with combined balloon catheter thrombectomy and balloon dilation for the treatment of acute thrombosis is reported. Eighteen patients underwent the combined procedures between 1981 and 1988. Primary thrombectomy and balloon dilation were performed in 14 patients, and additional reconstruction was performed in three patients.

Long-term results of intraoperative balloon dilatation.

A review was conducted of 61 patients who underwent intraoperative balloon dilatation over the past five years. Of the 62 dilatations in this patient group, 80% were performed in conjunction with a reconstructive procedure, and 20% were performed as a primary procedure. Dilatations were performed with the linear extrusion balloon catheter.

Arterial thromboembolism. A 20-year perspective.

Our experience with 739 patients with lower extremity thromboembolism since the advent of the balloon catheter has led us to several important observations: As the etiology has shifted from rheumatic to atherosclerotic, we treat a more complex group of patients, one fourth of whom have severe, preexisting peripheral occlusive disease. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to decrease the mortality and morbidity, which has ranged about 25% +/- 10%. Anticoagulation must be continued in the postoperative period, accepting wound hematomas as a fair "trade-off" to prevent recurrent embolus and distal thrombosis in areas inaccessible to the catheter.