Sympathectomy



Definition

Sympathectomy is a surgical procedure that destroys nerves in the sympathetic nervous system. The procedure is performed to increase blood flow and decrease long-term pain in certain diseases that cause narrowed blood vessels. It can also be used to decrease excessive sweating. This surgical procedure cuts or destroys the sympathetic ganglia, which are collections of nerve cell bodies in clusters along the thoracic or lumbar spinal cord.



Purpose

The autonomic nervous system controls such involuntary body functions as breathing, sweating, and blood pressure. It is subdivided into two components, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.

The sympathetic nervous system speeds the heart rate, narrows (constricts) blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. Blood pressure is controlled by means of nerve cells that run through sheaths around the arteries. The sympathetic nervous system can be described as the "fight or flight" system because it allows humans to respond to danger by fighting off an attacker or running away. When danger threatens, the sympathetic nervous system increases heart and respiratory rates and blood flow to muscles, and decreases blood flow to such other areas as skin, digestive tract, and limb veins. The net effect is an increase in blood pressure.

Sympathectomy is performed to relieve intermittent constricting of blood vessels (ischemia) when the fingers, toes, ears, or nose are exposed to cold (Raynaud's phenomenon). In Raynaud's phenomenon, the affected extremities turn white, then blue, and red as the blood supply is cut off. The color changes are accompanied by numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. Normal color and feeling are restored when heat is applied. The condition sometimes occurs without direct cause but is more often caused by an underlying medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Sympathectomy is usually less effective when Raynaud's syndrome is caused by an underlying medical condition. Narrowed blood vessels in the legs that cause painful cramping (claudication) are also treated with sympathectomy.

Sympathectomy may be helpful in treating reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a condition that sometimes develops after injury. In RSD, the affected limb is painful (causalgia) and swollen. The color, temperature, and texture of the skin changes. These symptoms are related to prolonged and excessive sympathetic nervous system activity.

Sympathectomy is also effective in treating excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the palms, armpits, or face.

Demographics

Experts estimate that 10,000–20,0000 sympathectomy procedures are performed each year in the united States.


Description

Sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis is accomplished by making a small incision under the armpit and introducing air into the chest cavity. The surgeon inserts a fiberoptic tube (endoscope) that projects an image of the operation on a video screen. The ganglia are cut with fine scissors attached to the endoscope. Laser beams may also be used to destroy the ganglia.

If only one arm or leg is affected, it may be treated with a percutaneous radiofrequency technique. In this technique, the surgeon locates the ganglia by a combination of x ray and electrical stimulation. The ganglia are destroyed by applying radio waves through electrodes on the skin.


Diagnosis/Preparation

A reversible block of the affected nerve cell (ganglion) determines if sympathectomy is needed. This procedure interrupts nerve impulses by injecting the ganglion with a steroid and anesthetic. If the block has a positive effect on pain and blood flow in the affected area, the sympathectomy will probably be helpful. The surgical procedure should be performed only if conservative treatment has not been effective. Conservative treatment includes avoiding exposure to stress and cold, and the use of physical therapy and medications.

Sympathectomy is most likely to be effective in relieving reflex sympathetic dystrophy if it is performed soon after the injury occurs. The increased benefit of early surgery must be balanced against the time needed to promote spontaneous recovery and responses to more conservative treatments.

Patients should discuss expected results and possible risks with their surgeons. They should inform their surgeons of all medications they are taking, and provide a complete medical history. Candidates for surgery should have good general health. To improve general health, a surgical candidate may be asked to lose weight, give up smoking or alcohol, and get the proper amount of sleep and exercise . Immediately before the surgery, patients will not be permitted to eat or drink, and the surgical site will be cleaned and scrubbed.


Aftercare

The surgeon informs the patient about specific aftercare needed for the technique used. Doppler ultrasonography, a test using sound waves to measure blood flow, can help to determine whether sympathectomy has had a positive result.

The operative site must be kept clean until the incision closes.


Risks

Side effects of sympathectomy may include decreased blood pressure while standing, which may cause fainting. After sympathectomy in men, semen is sometimes ejaculated into the bladder, possibly impairing fertility. After a sympathectomy is performed by inserting an endoscope in the chest cavity, some persons may experience chest pain with deep breathing. This problem usually disappears within two weeks. They may also experience pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity).


Normal results

Studies show that sympathectomy relieves hyperhidrosis in more than 90% of cases and causalgia in up to 75% of cases. The less invasive procedures cause very little scarring. Most persons stay in the hospital for less than one day and return to work within a week.


Morbidity and mortality rates

In 30% of cases, surgery for hyperhidrosis may cause increased sweating on the chest. In 2% of cases, the surgery may cause increased sweating in other areas, including increased facial sweating while eating. Less frequent complications include Horner's syndrome, a condition of the nervous system that causes the pupil of the eye to close, the eyelid to droop, and sweating to decrease on one side of the face. Other rare complications are nasal blockage and pain to the nerves supplying the skin between the ribs. Mortality is extremely rare, and usually attributable to low blood pressure.


Alternatives

Nonsurgical treatments include physical therapy, medications, and avoidance of stress and cold. These measures reduce or remove the likelihood of triggering a problem mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.

See also Neurosurgery .


Resources

books

Bland, K.I., W.G. Cioffi, and M.G. Sarr. Practice of General Surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.

Grace, P.A., A. Cuschieri D. Rowley, N. Borley, and A. Darzi. Clinical Surgery, 2nd ed. Londin, 2003.

Schwartz, S.I., J.E. Fischer, F.C. Spencer, G.T. Shires, and J.M. Daly. Principles of Surgery, 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.

Townsend, C., K.L. Mattox, R.D. Beauchamp, B.M. Evers, and D.C. Sabiston. Sabiston's Review of Surgery, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.

periodicals

Atkinson, J.L., and R.D. Fealey. "Sympathotomy Instead of Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis: Minimizing Postoperative Compensatory Hyperhidrosis." Mayo Clinic Proceedings 78, no. 2 (2003): 167-72.

Gossot, D., D. Galetta, A. Pascal, D. Debrosse, R. Caliandro, P. Girard, J.B. Stern, and D. Grunenwald. "Long-Term Results of Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for Upper Limb Hyperhidrosis." Annals of Thoracic Surgery 75, no.4 (2003): 1075-9.

Matthews, B.D., H.T. Bui, K.L.Harold, K.W.Kercher, M.A. Cowan, C.A. Van der Veer, and B.T. Heniford. "Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Palmaris Hyperhidrosis." Southern Medical Journal 96, no.3 (2003): 254-8.

Singh, B., J. Moodley, A.S. Shaik, and J.V. Robbs. "Sympathectomy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome." Journal of Vascular Surgery 37, no. 3 (2003): 508-11.

Urschel, H.C., and A. Patel. "Thoracic Outlet Syndromes." Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine 5, no.2 (2003): 163-8.


organizations

American Academy of Neurology. 1080 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116. (651) 695-1940. Fax: (651) 695-2791. E-mail: info@aan.org. http://www.aan.com/ .

American Board of Surgery. 1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 860, Philadelphia, PA 19103. (215) 568-4000. Fax: 215-563-5718. http://www.absurgery.org/ .

American College of Surgeons. 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611-32311. (312) 02-5000. Fax: (312) 202-5001. E-mail: postmaster@facs.org. http://www.facs.org/ .


other

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. [cited May 15, 2003] http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/cardiothoracic/dd_hydrosis_endoscopic.html .

"Excessive Sweating." [cited May 15, 2003] http://www.excessive-sweating.net/sympathectomy_history.html .

New York Presbyterian Hospital. [cited May 15, 2003] http://www.masc.cc/sympathectomy.htm .

University of Maryland School of Medicine. [cited May 15, 2003] http://www.umm.edu/thoracic/thoracic5a.html .

University of Southern California School of Medicine. [cited May 15, 2003] http://uscneurosurgery.com/glossary/s/sympathectomy.htm .


L. Fleming Fallon, Jr., M.D., Dr.PH.

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?



A sympathectomy is usually performed by a general surgeon, neurosurgeon, or surgeon with specialty training in head and neck surgery.

Sympathectomy was traditionally performed on an inpatient under general anesthesia. An incision was made on the mid-back, exposing the ganglia to be cut. Recent techniques are less invasive. As a result, the procedure may be performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient surgical facility.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR





Also read article about Sympathectomy from Wikipedia

User Contributions:

1
Duane Kelley
Bicycle injury 7 years ago with resulting T5 paralysis and RSD. RSD symptoms – severe pain, burning and stinging located in left buttocks. This is an approximate 2” area located near the margins of the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles toward the upper area of the hip. Modalities including physical therapy, rehabilitation, medication and acupuncture have been unsuccessful. I have maintained a normal weight for my age (43), height and body frame and exercise as pain permits. As would be expected my life is limited due to the pain, preventing me from participating in all previous activities. I am seeking information on the possibility of a sympathectomy. I realize without medical records or assessment you are limited in answering this issue but would appreciate ANY information you might have available. I would also appreciate information regarding a physician that may specialize in this area of expertise. Thank you for your time.
I did sympatectomy in MY country 9 years ago for hands swear and flash face has worked good for hands but not for my face as still having ait problema . i keep trying all kind of treat for anxiety but not has worked. My quetion is can I do sympatectomy agaim?

Jane
Would this procedure help someone who excessively sweats all over, The face, chest, arms, legs, back, the back of the neck, literally all over. Or does it only help people that have excessive armpit sweat?
I need to find a surgeon who performs this procedure. This is for my father- he lives in California.
5
Mom
Found interesting - give me your thoughts for more questions to ask dr's.
6
Sherri Frasca
I had the surgery a month ago and It didn't work I have RSD I'm in so much pain it changes my hips then my legs feet burn and hurts so much I don't know what to do any more
7
Madel garcia
Sympathectomy says thats its for buerger's disease patient,is there any chance that the affected limbs get normal?or we should do the angioram or bypass surgery?
8
Charlotte
Will this procedure assist me because am having excessive sweating on my armpits,hands and feet
9
Steven Wilson
Many years ago my father had a Sympathec to ease pain in his leg. Is this surgery still used for pain relief. I injured my Anterior Cruciate Ligament, I had surgery but have been in pain ever since. I now have Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Would this surgery be of any use in my case.
10
Michelle Piper
My husband has daily chest pains due to spastic arteries in his heart. He has had two heart attacks due to this. The cardologist has tried all medicines in different combinations to stop tis. Nothing works. He said that my husband needs a sympathectomy wecan't find a surgeon. Can anyone help. We live in kentucky. Thanks for ur time
11
Laurie
Can the nerves grow back after a sympathectomy? Can the symptoms (pain) recur after years of relief?
12
lynn willment
My son had a sympathectomy by a reputable general surgeon when he was 13 years old for hyperhydrosis which effected his hands.The procedure was successful, but he now suffers from extreme sweating of his feet. I have also noticed that his lower limbs are prone to being discoloured at times. They appear bluish white and his feet go quite red after exercise. As the procedure affects the sypathetic nervous system I read that one can get semen ejaculated into the bladder causing problems with fertility. He now suffers with premature ejaculation and I would appreciate if you could inform me as to the incidence of this problem with other patients. He is now 27 years old.
Many thanks
Lynn
13
Babu
Is sympathectomy can be done in cpvt case of 9 years patient
14
Susie
I had this procedure done. Would it be possible that it could cause me to retain fluid?
15
Luljeta Berisha
I have buergers disease and diabetes. Due to this illnesses i have problem with my right foot, painful, swollen and changed colour. They told me I have to do Sympathectomy how effective it is and is it any high risk? In the worst scenario what could happen

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