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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
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Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy
Published on: January 10, 2019
Degeneration activity: a transient effect following sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis
1Department of Surgery, Jönköping Hospital, Sweden.
The European Journal of Surgery. Supplement. : = Acta Chirurgica. Supplement
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis can cause temporary sweating due to nerve ending degeneration. This paper explores the underlying reasons for this post-surgical effect, drawing on animal studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Surgical Physiology
Background:
- Sympathectomy is a surgical procedure to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
- Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a minimally invasive technique.
- Post-surgical sweating has been observed in some patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a theoretical explanation for post-sympathectomy sweating.
- To discuss the phenomenon of degeneration activity in nerve endings.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on degeneration activity.
- Discussion of animal experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Degeneration activity of effector organs is linked to transmitter release from sympathetic nerve endings.
- This activity theoretically explains sweating observed after sympathectomy.
Conclusions:
- Nerve degeneration activity is a plausible explanation for transient sweating post-sympathectomy.
- Further understanding of degeneration mechanisms is warranted.
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