Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Anatomical Variation of the Sympathetic Trunk and Aberrant Rami Communicantes and their Clinical Implications

Surgical interventions involving the sympathetic trunk are increasingly performed to alleviate symptoms of several disorders such as hyperhidrosis. Anatomical variation has been highlighted as one of the main causes behind surgical failure and symptoms recurrence following surgeries conducted on the chain or its surroundings. This study therefore aimed to record anatomical variants within spinal segments C8-T10 of the sympathetic trunk. Thirty Thiel-embalmed cadavers were investigated bilaterally. The stellate ganglion was recorded on 29 sides. Its size was significantly greater in males and on the right side when the coalescence extended to the subsequent ganglion. The intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz was observed on 21 sides and was significantly more prevalent in males. There was a significant positive association between the presence of this nerve and the descending ramus in the first intercostal space. Aberrant rami found between spinal root C8 and the ventral ramus of the first intercostal nerve were introduced as rami communicantes superi. Aberrant rami communicantes were recorded 50 times in total, of which 70% were found in males. Descending rami showed the highest prevalence in upper intercostal levels, especially in males within the first intercostal space. Aberrant neuronal pathways in upper levels were significantly more prevalent when the stellate ganglion was present. The scientific literature has proven to be stochastic as results were significantly higher in past studies in regard to some sympathetic variants. Anatomical findings of the current study as well as the inconsistency of previous data should be acknowledged and considered for better surgical planning.

Anxiety after Sympathectomy in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis may prolong the duration of compensatory hyperhidrosis

Background

Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is a frequent side effect after sympathectomy for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis. We determined the effects of demographic and clinical factors which may increase the duration of CH (DCH).

Methods

One hundred twenty-two patients who had undergone sympathectomies from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Anxiety was evaluated using the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory score. Follow-up evaluations continued until CH remitted. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the association between DCH and variables.

Results

DCH ranged from 5 to 27 weeks (median, 11.47 weeks). Severe CH (HR = 0.318, 95% CI, 0.136–0.741) and exacerbated anxiety 1 month post-operatively (HR = 0.816, 95% CI, 0.746–0.893) may prolong CH. A positive correlation between post-operative anxiety and DCH was common in patients with moderate or severe CH, and in cases with forearm CH.

Conclusions

Pre- and post-operative anxiety should be evaluated, and anti-anxiety treatment is offered to patients with moderate-to-severe CH to shorten the DCH.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13019-018-0736-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.