title: Long-term cardiopulmonary function after thoracic sympathectomy: comparison between the conventional and simplified techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to compare the long-term effects of conventional and simplified thoracic sympathectomy on cardiopulmonary function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective and randomized study of 32 patients with diagnoses of primary hyperhidrosis who were candidates for either conventional or simplified thoracic sympathectomy. Patients were randomized according to the type of procedure: conventional thoracic sympathectomy (18 patients) and simplified thoracic sympathectomy (14 patients). Before surgical intervention, forced spirometry, body plethysmography, measurement of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and exercise tests were carried out in all patients. These evaluations were performed again 1 year after the procedure to assess the long-term effects of sympathectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung function tests revealed a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF(25%-75%)) in both groups (FEV(1) of -6.3% and FEF(25%-75%) of -9.1% in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group and FEV(1) of -3.5% and FEF(25%-75%) of -12.3% in the simplified thoracic sympathectomy group). DLCO and heart rate at rest and maximal values after exercise were also significantly reduced in both groups (DLCO of -4.2%, DLCO corrected by alveolar volume of -6.1%, resting heart rate of -11.8 beats/min, and maximal heart rate of -9.5 beats/min in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group and DLCO of -3.9%, DLCO corrected by alveolar volume of -5.2%, resting heart rate of -10.7 beats/min, and maximal heart rate of -17.6 beats/min in the simplified thoracic sympathectomy group). Airway resistance increased significantly in the group of patients undergoing conventional thoracic sympathectomy (+13%). Despite all these changes, the patients remained asymptomatic. No significant differences were found between the conventional and simplified thoracic sympathectomy groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simplified and conventional thoracic sympathectomy resulted in a long-term reduction in FEV(1), FEF(25%-75%), DLCO, and resting and maximal heart rate, as well as a mild but significant increase in airway resistance in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group, without any clinical consequence to the patient. These changes were unrelated to the level of transection of the thoracic sympathetic chain.
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr Negrín Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. migp@arrakis.es
authors: Miguel Angel
authors: MA
authors: Ponce González
authors: Gabriel Juliá
authors: GJ
authors: Serdá
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Rodriguez Suarez
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Perez-Peñate
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Freixinet Gilart
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Cabrera Navarro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult