title: T2-T3 sympathectomy versus sympathicotomy for essential palmar hyperhidrosis: comparison of effects on cardio-respiratory function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine cardio-respiratory changes after endothoracic sympathetic denervation and their correlation with the extent of denervation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 45 patients with essential palmar hyperhidrosis were randomized into two groups: the conventional group (CG; 23 patients) and the simplified group (SG; 22 patients). In the CG, excision of T2 and T3 ganglia was performed, whereas in the SG only separation of the sympathetic chain was performed at the same level. Patients underwent respiratory and cardiovascular exercise tests before, at 2 weeks and again at 6 months after the procedure. The postoperative values were then compared with the preoperative values to assess the statistical difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one patients in each group completed the study. In the SG, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1; P < 0.01) and forced vital capacity (FVC; P < 0.01) were significantly reduced at 2 weeks, but returned to similar baseline values 6 months after the procedure. No significant cardiac changes were observed. In the CG, both FEV 1 and FVC were significantly reduced at 2 weeks (P < 0.01) and at 6 months after operation (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity (P < 0.01) and a relevant increase in airway resistance (P < 0.05) during the entire postoperative course were also observed. Heart rates at rest and at peak exercise were significantly reduced at 2 weeks (P < 0.01) and significantly decreased 6 months after the procedure (P < 0.05). No other changes were registered. The cardio-respiratory alterations remained at a sub-clinical level; all patients completed the exercise test without symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sympathectomy may result in a disturbance of bronchomotor tone and cardiac function. Such changes remained at a sub-clinical level and seemed directly correlated with the extension of denervation.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit,  Second University of Naples, Naples,  Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Aponte
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canonico
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palladino
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vicidomini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limongelli
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide