Limb salvage and pain relief>75%, evaluated with the visual analogue scale, were achieved in 35 patients, whereas in 12 a partial success with pain relief>50% and limb salvage for at least 6 months were obtained. In 13 patients the method failed and the ischemic limbs were amputated. Among the 28 diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy the treatment failed or resulted in only partial success in 25, whereas in all 32 patients without neuropathy limb salvage and pain relief>75% were achieved (p<0.0001)