Thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

Surgical sympathectomy has traditionally been achieved by 'open' surgical techniques. The transaxillary, cervical, or dorsal approaches have not been without morbidity and cosmetically have been found to be less than ideal. The main indication for sympathectomy in most units is palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis refractory to medical treatment, although it has been used with some success in troublesome causalgia. Use of sympathectomy in Raynaud's disease remains disappointing. In our unit thoracoscopic sympathectomy has been performed since 1980. A CO2 pneumothorax is initially created in the usual manner. This is followed by electrocoagulation of the sympathetic chain under direct vision using a unipolar diathermy. The lung is then reinflated under direct vision. Chest drains are not inserted. Both sides are performed at the same sitting, and the patient usually leaves hospital the following day. The functional and cosmetic results are excellent on short and long term follow-up with few side effects. Permanent Horner's syndrome has not been reported using this technique. As with all upper limb sympathectomies, patients should be warned of possible compensatory hyperhidrosis. Embracing the tenets of minimally invasive surgery, thoracoscopic sympathectomy should be considered the approach of choice for surgical sympathectomy.