Korean J Pain.  2005 Dec;18(2):161-164. 10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.161.

Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block with Alcohol for Plantar Hyperhidrosis

• Han ST
• Kim C
• Han KR
• Cho HW
• Noh HJ

• KMID: 2277981
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.161

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chemical lumbar sympathetic ganglion block could potentially be used to treat plantar hyperhidrosis; therefore, we analyzed the outcome of lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol for the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Between March 1992 and June 2003, 356 patients with plantar hyperhidrosis underwent lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol. All 356 patients were followed up for 2 years and the results evaluated. There were 185 and 171 male and female patients, respectively, with a mean age of 25.1 years, ranging from 15.3 to 56.5 years old. Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol was performed with fluoroscopic guidance under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The recurrence rate after 2 years was 34%. Compensatory hyperhidrosis, ejaculation failure, lower back pain and genitofemoral neuritis developed as complications in 132, 4, 12 and 2 patients, respectively. Of the 356 patients, 65% were satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol is an effective and safe method for the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis, but more information about the complications and relatively high recurrence rates should be provided to the patient.

Keyword

alcohol; lumbar sympathetic ganglion block; plantar hyperhidrosis

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Local
Ejaculation
Female
Ganglia, Sympathetic*
Humans
Hyperhidrosis*
Low Back Pain
Male
Neuritis
Recurrence