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Different outcomes between two sides after bilateral sympathetic ganglion interruption for hyperhidrosis
Shah-Hwa Chou1, Eing-Long Kao, Chien-Chih Lin
1Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
Surgical Neurology
|October 4, 2006
Summary
Thoracoscopic sympathetic interruption for hyperhidrosis can lead to accidental clipping at unintended levels, affecting facial and extremity symmetry. However, these errors are correctable with a second procedure, ensuring satisfactory outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Surgical neurology
- Sympathetic nervous system disorders
Background:
- Thoracoscopic sympathetic interruption is a common procedure for treating sympathetic disorders like hyperhidrosis.
- Despite surgeon experience, unintended clipping of sympathetic ganglions occurs at a rate of 4.3%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and consequences of unintended ganglion clipping during thoracoscopic sympathetic interruption.
- To evaluate the detectability and amendability of such errors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 117 patients undergoing thoracoscopic sympathetic interruption via clipping.
- Analysis of immediate post-operative manifestations and chest radiographs to identify clipping errors.
Main Results:
- Five out of 117 patients (4.3%) experienced clipping at an unplanned ganglion level.
- Manifestations included asymmetry in facial, trunk, and extremity outcomes, confirmed by chest radiographs.
Conclusions:
- Clipping errors during thoracoscopic sympathetic interruption, though infrequent, are inevitable even in experienced surgeons.
- The clipping method allows for error detection and correction through a secondary surgical intervention, leading to satisfactory results.
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