Thoracic sympathectomy is a method for a segmental elimination of functions of the sympathetic system by the excision of its Th2-Th3 ganglia. The procedure can be performed both using open and videoscopic technique.
Objective: The purpose of the study was the evaluation of efficacy of videoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
Material and method: From 1993 to 2003 we performed 53 videoscopic thoracic sympathectomies in patients with Raynaud's syndrome and upper limb hyperhidrosis.
Results: In all patients that underwent thoracic sympathectomy we obtained a positive reaction to a segmental excision of the sympathetic trunk. Patients with Raynaud's showed a significant improvement in symptoms in 76% of cases after a 4-year observation while patients with hyperhidrosis in 100%. The time of hospitalisation was 3.5 days in average. Postoperative complications were observed in two patients (3.7%). Videoscopic thoracic sympathectomy provides good therapeutic and cosmetic results and deserves more common use compared with open technique.