Sympathicolysis

The sympathetic block is a process for temporary or long-term elimination of the sympathetic innervation. It is used, inter alia, to improve the blood circulation in the legs or arms.

The sympathetic nervous system causes the balance of autonomic systems, narrowing of the blood vessels, so after his elimination in many cases is a vascular dilation ( vasodilation ) to achieve. Sealed containers are not re-opened, but the collaterals are better supplied with blood.

To improve the blood flow to the upper extremities, the anesthetic block of the ganglion can be made stellatum. Due to this blockade is replaced by another, vasodilatation in the whole catchment area to decreased sweating ( anhidrosis ) and a Horner 's syndrome. The latter is a sign of the successful implementation of the blockade. The temporary stellate is performed to treat, eg an advanced complex regional pain syndrome. Surgical elimination of the stellate ganglion is the last resort of choice for a Raynaud's disease.

Also in other parts of the body the sympathetic nerve plexus can be blocked. The lying to the large abdominal vessels sympathetic plexus can be turned off, for example, in local anesthesia under control in a CT image by injection of concentrated alcohol ( interventional radiology procedures ).

• Therapeutic procedures in surgery
• Therapeutic procedures in anesthesia
• Therapeutic procedures in radiology