Thermal Changes in Denervated and Sympathectomized Limbs With and Without Arterial Ligation

Abstract

Summary

Skin temperatures taken between the toes of dogs varied with the temperature of the room. The thermal vasodilation level of the normal limb of a short haired dog in a warm room was 36-39°C. The thermal vasoconstriction level was apparently 22-26°C. Section of the sciatic nerve or lumbar sympathectomy caused a relative hyperthermia in the limb of the operated side in dogs kept in a cold room. Following division of the femoral artery thermal responses paralleled those of the normal limb but were consistently slightly lower. Division of the femoral artery and ipsolateral lumbar sympathectomy or section of the sciatic nerve led to thermal responses to heat and cold similar to those obtained after division of the femoral artery alone. After division of the femoral arteries and unilateral lumbar sympathectomy the thermal responses were similar to, but more moderate than those after sympathectomy alone.