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PubMed · 8646505

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

T M Daniel
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Abstract

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy has become the most widely used approach to cervicothoracic sympathectomy. Appropriate selection of cases and a knowledge of the regional anatomy are essential in achieving good clinical results. The physiology and anatomy of the upper thoracic sympathectomy system and the indications, contraindications, and complications of the operation are described. The technique of the operation as done at the University of Virginia is then presented in a step-by-step manner.

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BibTeXRIS

T M Daniel. 1996. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8646505/

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PubMed1995

[Thoracoscopy in upper thoracic sympathectomy].

The authors describe their experience with the endoscopic technique of upper thoracic sympathectomy. They evaluate it as an easily performed and safe method which gives great comfort to the patient as well as excellent functional and cosmetic results and involves a minimal burden and ensures rapid convalescence. It enables the surgeon to obtain a perfect orientation in the surgical field as well as safe and perfect preparation of the thoracic portion of the sympathetic nerve. The low cost is also important.

Ganglia, Sympathetic↗
PubMed1994

The history of cervicothoracic sympathectomy.

As early as in 1889 surgery on the cervical sympathetic nervous system was performed. During the following decades this operation was tried for a variety of diseases. In the early 1920s it was clarified that patients with hyperhidrosis, vasospastic conditions, and angina pectoris would benefit from stellectomy. It was, however, soon discovered that removal of the upper thoracic ganglia was required in order to obtain complete sympathetic denervation of the upper extremity. Several open surgical techniques for upper thoracic sympathectomy were described. During the 1940s a few pioneers started to excise sympathetic ganglia by thoracoscopy which had originally been described as a diagnostic tool by Jacobaeus in 1910. The endoscopic approach, amply documented by Kux in 1954, did not, however, gain widespread popularity until the 1980s. Like the general upsurge of interest in endoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic ablation of the upper thoracic sympathetic ganglia is now rapidly being adopted by surgeons.

Ganglia, Sympathetic↗