Denervation of the Abdominal Viscera for the Treatment of Traumatic Shock

Abstract

HYPERACTIVITY of the sympathetic nervous system is a pronounced characteristic of all types of traumatic shock. The generalized increase in vasoconstrictor activity can be beneficial in certain circumstances, such as acute hypovolemia. But if it is excessively intense and prolonged it may cause the shock to become refractory to all known methods of therapy. This is demonstrated by the observation that an antiadrenergic agent (for example, dibenamine) can prevent the development of the state of irreversibility to transfusion in hemorrhagic shock.^{1 2 3} The refractory state of shock produced by endotoxin may also be the result of excessive adrenergic activity, for it . . .