[Thoracic sympathectomy performed by videothoracoscopic technique].

UNLABELLED: Thoracic sympathectomy is a method for a segmental elimination of functions of the sympathetic system by the excision of its Th2-Th3 ganglia. The procedure can be performed both using open and videoscopic technique.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was the evaluation of efficacy of videoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1993 to 2003 we performed 53 videoscopic thoracic sympathectomies in patients with Raynaud's syndrome and upper limb hyperhidrosis.

RESULTS

In all patients that underwent thoracic sympathectomy we obtained a positive reaction to a segmental excision of the sympathetic trunk. Patients with Raynaud's showed a significant improvement in symptoms in 76% of cases after a 4-year observation while patients with hyperhidrosis in 100%. The time of hospitalisation was 3.5 days in average. Postoperative complications were observed in two patients (3.7%). Videoscopic thoracic sympathectomy provides good therapeutic and cosmetic results and deserves more common use compared with open technique.