Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
03:59
Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy
Published on: January 10, 2019
Skin depigmentation: could it be a complication caused by thoracic sympathectomy?
Fernando L Westphal1, José R M de Campos, Jonas Ribas
1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Federal and State University of Amazonas Medical School, Manaus, Brazil. f.l.westphal@uol.com.br
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|September 22, 2009
Summary
Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis can cause skin depigmentation in patients with brown skin. This side effect may be linked to the nervous system
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Neurology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Primary hyperhidrosis is a disorder causing excessive sweating.
- Thoracic sympathectomy is a surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis.
- Compensatory sweating is a known complication of this surgery.
Observation:
- Two patients developed skin depigmentation after video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy.
- The depigmentation occurred in areas affected by the sympathetic nerve blockage.
- The condition appeared approximately 8 months post-surgery.
Findings:
- The nervous system may influence melanocytes in human skin.
- Sympathetic nerve activity could play a role in skin pigmentation.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy may lead to altered skin pigmentation.
Implications:
- Patients with primary hyperhidrosis should be informed about potential skin depigmentation.
- Brown-skinned individuals undergoing thoracic sympathectomy are at risk for this complication.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of nerve-induced depigmentation.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
01:24Healing II: Complications
Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...
01:19Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...