A comparison between two types of limited sympathetic surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis

Anatomical study with clinical significance of communicating and visceral branching of the cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic trunk

Current advances in the management of the autonomic nervous system in various cardiovascular diseases, and in treatments for pain or sympathetic disturbances in the head, neck, or upper limbs, necessitate a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the cervicothoracic sympathetic trunk. Our objective was to enhance our understanding of the origin and distribution of communicating branches and visceral cervicothoracic sympathetic nerves in human fetuses. This was achieved through a comprehensive topographic systematization of the branching patterns observed in the cervical and upper thoracic ganglia, along with the distribution of communicating branches to each cervical spinal nerve. We conducted detailed sub-macroscopic dissections of the cervical and thoracic regions in 20 human fetuses (40 sides). The superior and cervicothoracic ganglia were identified as the cervical sympathetic ganglia that provided the most communicating branches on both sides. The middle and accessory cervical ganglia contributed the fewest branches, with no significant differences between the right and left sides. The cervicothoracic ganglion supplied sympathetic branches to the greatest number of spinal nerves, spanning from C5 to T2 . The distribution of communicating branches to spinal nerves was non-uniform. Notably, C3 , C4 , and C5 received the fewest branches, and more than half of the specimens showed no sympathetic connections. C1 and C2 received sympathetic connections exclusively from the superior ganglion. Spinal nerves that received more branches often did so from multiple ganglia. The vertebral nerve provided deep communicating branches primarily to C6 , with lesser contributions to C7 , C5 , and C8 . The vagus nerve stood out as the cranial nerve with the most direct sympathetic connections. The autonomic branching pattern and connections of the cervicothoracic sympathetic trunk are significantly variable in the fetus. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic trunk and its branches is valuable during autonomic interventions and neuromodulation. This knowledge is particularly relevant for addressing various autonomic cardiac diseases and for treating pain and vascular dysfunction in the head, neck, and upper limbs.

Selective T3-T4 sympathicotomy versus gray ramicotomy on outcome and quality of life in hyperhidrosis patients: a randomized clinical trial

Compensatory hyperhidrosis is the leading cause of patients' dissatisfaction after thoracic sympathicotomy. The study aimed to reduce compensatory hyperhidrosis to increase patients’ satisfaction. A prospective randomized study on palmar hyperhidrosis, May 2016–September 2019. Twenty-one patients T₃–T₄ sympathicotomy and 21 T₃–T₄ gray ramicotomy. Data prospectively collected. Analysis at study's end. Focus on the sweating, temperature, quality of life baseline and postoperatively, compensatory hyperhidrosis, hand dryness, patients' satisfaction, and if they would undergo the procedure again and recommend it. No baseline differences between groups. Hyperhidrosis was controlled postoperatively in all patients. No mortality, serious complications, or recurrences. Sympathicotomy worse postoperative quality of life (49.05 (SD: 15.66, IR: 35.50–63.00) versus ramicotomy 24.30 (SD: 6.02, IR: 19.75–27.25). After ramicotomy, some residual sweating on the face, hands, and axillae. Compensatory sweating worse with sympathicotomy. Satisfaction higher with ramicotomy. Better results with ramicotomy than sympathicotomy regarding hand dryness, how many times a day the patients had to shower or change clothes, intention to undergo the procedure again or recommend it to somebody else, and how bothersome compensatory hyperhidrosis was. T₃–T₄ gray ramicotomy had better results than T₃–T₄ sympathicotomy, with less compensatory sweating and higher patients' satisfaction.

Thoracoscopic sympathetic block to predict compensatory hyperhidrosis in primary hyperhidrosis

Background

Compensatory hyperhidrosis is the main cause of patients’ dissatisfaction following sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis. Therefore, thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve block before sympathectomy can be used to predict compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy. The objective of this study is to review our recent experience with the nerve block procedure, describing efficacy, safety and validity.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 107 patients who underwent thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve block with a local anesthetic for primary palmar and craniofacial hyperhidrosis using a 2-mm needlescope from March 2017 to November 2019. A week later, the patients were interviewed, and a decision made as to whether to proceed with sympathectomy. We analyzed the perioperative data of patients who underwent the predictive procedure either followed, or not followed, by sympathectomy.

Results

Primary hyperhidrosis was relieved in all patients by the predictive procedure without severe complications. Compensatory hyperhidrosis happened to 32 patients (29.9%). Seventy-eight patients (72.9%) decided to undergo sympathectomy (group A) and 29 patients (27.1%) refused the sympathectomy (group B). Group B tended to have higher average body mass index (24.5 versus 23.2 kg/m², P=0.082) and compensatory hyperhidrosis rate after predictive procedure (37.9% versus 26.9%, P=0.269) compared to group A. The compensatory hyperhidrosis rate after sympathectomy in group A was 76.9%. The effective duration of sympathetic block was significantly longer in group A than in group B (33.5 versus 13.9 hours, P=0.001). The predictive procedure had 94.4% specificity and 33.3% sensitivity for prediction of compensatory hyperhidrosis.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic sympathetic block may be safe and feasible as a procedure for predicting compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy, and beneficially, it allows the patients to experience the effect of sympathectomy on primary hyperhidrosis and occurrence of compensatory hyperhidrosis. However, a longer effective duration of sympathetic block is needed to help patients to decide whether to proceed with the surgery.

The Rate of Compensatory Sweating and Clinical Outcomes of Selective Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (Ramicotomy) in Patients with Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Background: Primary hyperhidrosis is a sympathetic disorder characterized by prolonged and uncontrollable sweating. It is associated with emotional stress or psychological causes that preferably affects the axillae, palms, feet, and face. Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery is currently a globally recognized treatment for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PH). However, compensatory sweating (CS) is the most prominent long-term adverse effect of thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Objectives: Here, we aim to perform selective sympathetic ramicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis patients and evaluate the clinical outcomes of satisfaction, as well as the effect on the frequency, location, and severity of compensatory sweating. Methods: In this single-arm trial study, 24 sympathectomies were carried out on 12 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who were candidates for bilateral thoracoscopic selective sympathectomy (ramicotomy) at Imam Khomeini Hospital. The patients’ demographic information was interviewed and followed up using telephone questionnaires in the health center one week after surgery. Then, the rates of compensatory sweating, satisfaction, and failure or recurrence were retrospectively analyzed. Results: No significant differences were observed between age, gender, weight, BMI, and compensatory sweating rates. Notwithstanding, there was a statistically significant difference in the severity of compensatory sweating with patients’ height (P = 0.016). Compensatory sweating occurred in 66.7% of the patients; 50% of the patients were mild, 16.7% of the patients were moderate, and there was no intolerable compensatory sweating or recurrence. The most incidence of compensatory sweating was on the lower back. The rate of satisfaction was 94.5 ± 7.8%. Conclusions: Selective thoracoscopic sympathectomy (ramicotomy) is an effective surgical procedure with a very high level of precision and satisfaction. This technique hence should be considered the method of choice for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy versus modified Wittmoser method in surgical management of primary hyperhidrosis

Purposes

We compared two different surgical methods evaluating the effectiveness of procedures and the quality of life (QoL) of patients.

Methods

From January 2010 to November 2017 we carried out 476 biportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approaches of sympathetic chain in 238 patients. One hundred and twenty-nine (54%) patients underwent conventional sympathectomy (CS) while 109 (46%) patients underwent sympathicotomy associated with the division of the rami communicantes (MWT). Quality of Life (QoL) was classified as follows: from 20 to 35 excellent; from 36 to 51 very good; from 52 to 68 good; from 69 to 84 poor; and > 84 very poor.

Results

We noticed statistical significant reduction of complications comparing CS with MWT approaches (chest pain from 36.4 to 4.5%; paresthesias from 8.5 to 3.6%; bradycardia from 28.6 to 10%, respectively). The preoperative and postoperative QoL index evaluation revealed a statistically significant improvement after surgery (CS: 86 ± 2 versus 35 ± 1, p = 0.00001; MWT: 85 ± 1 versus 33 ± 2, p = 0.00001), with general satisfaction of the two techniques.

Conclusion

Modified Wittmoser method seems to be a valid alternative to conventional sympathectomy, minimizing the percentage rate of complications and showing significant effectiveness in the quality of life improvement.

Selective block of grey communicantes in upper thoracic sympathectomy. A feasibility study on human cadaveric specimens

Background: Sympathetic chain interruption is the gold standard treatment for essential hyperhidrosis. Postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis, the main reason for patients' dissatisfaction, is reduced by selectively lesioning white and grey rami communicantes (ramicotomy).Objective: To develop an endoscopic surgical technique that interrupts only T₃ and T₄ grey rami communicantes to minimize compensatory hyperhidrosis.Material and Methods: T₃ and T₄ grey rami communicantes ramicotomy in fifteen cold-preserved cadavers through a uniportal axillary endoscopic approach. The sympathetic chain, its ganglia, and white rami communicantes were left intact. On opening the chest, the sympathetic chain, rami communicantes and ganglia were dissected, photographed, measured and excised for histological examination.Results: Dissecting the grey rami communicantes is feasible as they consistently lie between the intercostal nerve and the homonymous sympathetic ganglion. At some levels, Kuntz nerves, as well as more than one grey ramus communicans, can be found. White rami communicantes are more medial, therefore damaging them can be avoided. Intercostal veins can be obstructive, but these can be controlled via coagulation or clipping if necessary.Conclusion: Uniportal endoscopic selective excision of the T₃ and T₄ grey rami communicantes is feasible without damaging the white rami communicantes, the sympathetic chain or its ganglia. Clipping the grey rami communicantes is technically possible but not reliable due to their thin diameter. This study confirms that T₃ and T₄ grey rami sympathetic block is technically feasible. Its application might reduce compensatory hyperhidrosis, but clinical studies are needed.

Can we predict the compensatory hyperhidrosis following a thoracic sympathectomy?

Background

Primary hyperhidrosis is a functionally and socially disabling condition resulting in social embarrassment and low quality of life. Thoracic sympathectomy is a definitive choice of treatment with favorable results. However, patients may face another embarrassing condition following surgery as compensatory hyperhidrosis which has no definitive treatment. The predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis are controversial and remain unclear.

Patients and methods

A total of 74 patients underwent a videothoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis. We statistically analyzed our patients with correlations and uni-multivariate logistic regression models to outline the possible predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis.

Results

A total of 45 (60.8%) patients had compensatory hyperhidrosis. The correlations showed that patients, with age greater than 21 years (P = 0.018), with body mass index (BMI) greater than 22 kg / m² (P = 0.045), with isolated facial hyperhidrosis (P = 0.044), and with smoking status (P = 0.015), had significantly greater rates of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Similarly, the significant univariate predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis were age > 21 (P = 0.020), BMI > 22 kg / m² (P = 0.048), and the presence of smoking status (P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis revealed only smoking as a predictor within the threshold of significance (P = 0.078).

Conclusion

The clinical predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis following a thoracic sympathectomy appear as older age, greater body mass index, and smoking.

Topographical study of the connections of the rami communicantes from the first to the fifth thoracic sympathetic ganglia

This study investigated the morphological variations and histological patterns of the rami communicantes (RCs) arising from the first to the fifth thoracic sympathetic ganglia, and considered the clinical significance of these variations. Fifty upper thoracic portions from 26 adult Korean cadavers were used in this study. There were 731 RCs arising from the first to the fifth thoracic sympathetic ganglia. They were classified into three types depending on the connection between the sympathetic ganglion and the intercostal nerves: in type I, the RCs connected the ganglion to the corresponding intercostal nerve, and in types II and III, respectively, they connected it to the nerve one level above or below the corresponding intercostal nerve. Some RCs of types I and II could not be observed without additional preliminary surgical procedures. Diverse combinations of RC types arose from the first to the fifth thoracic sympathetic ganglia, combinations of types I and III being the most common (70%) in the first sympathetic ganglion and those comprising only type I being most frequent in the other ganglia. The RCs could not be identified by the naked eye in either fresh or fixed cadavers, so they were confirmed on the basis of their histological appearance. These results are expected to improve knowledge of morphological variations of the RCs in the upper five thoracic sympathetic ganglia, and to provide helpful information for clinical management in this region. Clin. Anat. 31:1151-1157, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis: from surgical indications to clinical results

Sympathectomy and its variations have been performed in thoracic surgery for more than 100 years. However, its indications have undergone profound modifications in this period. Likewise, since then the surgical technique has also evolved dramatically up to the minimally invasive techniques worldwide accessible in present days. Currently, primary hyperhidrosis is, by far, the main indication for thoracic sympathectomy and this procedure is usually carried out thoracoscopically with excellent results. However, until today, hyperhidrosis is a part of thoracic surgery still surrounded by controversy, persisting as an open field over which some confusion still resides regarding its pathophysiology, terms definitions and operative approaches. The aim of this article is to provide a wide but easily comprehensible review of the theme, discussing and clarifying the major concepts with respect to its clinical presentation, all the presently available treatment options and strategies with their potential benefits and risks, the adequate patient selection for sympathectomy, as well as the postoperative clinical results.