Better Outcomes with Sympathectomy for Sweating and Angina
Author Information
Author(s): Rathinam Sridhar, Nanjaiah Prakash, Sivalingam Sivakumar, Rajesh Pala B
Primary Institution: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Hypothesis
Excision of sympathetic ganglia with histological confirmation improves outcomes in Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy.
Conclusion
The study shows that excision of the sympathetic chain during VATS sympathectomy is safe and effective for treating hyperhidrosis, facial flushing, and intractable angina.
Supporting Evidence
- 99 patients had bilateral VATS sympathectomy with no perioperative mortality.
- Overall success rates for symptom relief were 96.3% for hyperhidrosis, 87.5% for facial flushing, and 95.2% for intractable angina.
- Complications included pneumothorax (5%) and compensatory hyperhidrosis (18%).
Takeaway
Doctors can help people with excessive sweating and chest pain by removing certain nerves in a safe way that makes them feel better.
Methodology
Retrospective review of 200 procedures in 100 patients who underwent VATS sympathectomy by a single surgeon.
Limitations
The study is limited by its retrospective nature and the lack of a control group.
Participant Demographics
47 males, mean age 32 years (range 18–80).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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