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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;139:405-410
© 2010 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

General Thoracic Surgery

Long-term cardiopulmonary function after thoracic sympathectomy: Comparison between the conventional and simplified techniques

^a Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr Negrín Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
^b Department of Thoracic Surgery, Dr Negrín Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
^c Hospital at Home Unit, Dr Negrín Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Received for publication February 4, 2009; revisions received April 5, 2009; accepted for publication May 16, 2009.

^_* Address for reprints: Miguel Angel Ponce González, MD, Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Hospital at Home Unit, Dr Negrín Gran Canaria University Hospital, C/Barranco de la Ballena s/n, 35019, Las Palmas de GC, Canary Island, Spain. (Email: migp{at}arrakis.es).

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 (FEV₁) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF_25%–75%) in both groups (FEV₁ of –6.3% and FEF_25%–75% of –9.1% in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group and FEV₁ 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 FEV₁, 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.