After an account of historical facts the authors describe the technique of chemical lumbar sympathectomy. A 7.5% phenol solution in glycerol was used (7.5 ml). At the Surgical Clinic of the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Training of the Regional Hospital with Policlinic in Ostrava chemical lumbar sympathectomy was performed in 22 patients. No complications were observed during operation and during the postoperative period and in all patients the effect was favourable.