"Similar low values are observed in patients with sympathectomy and in patients with tetraplegia"

Patients with progressive autonomic dysfunction (including diabetes) have little or no increase in plasma noradrenaline and this correlates with their orthostatic intolerance (Bannister, Sever and Gross, 1977). In patients with pure autonomic failure, basal levels of noradrenaline are lower than in normal subjects (Polinsky, 1988). Similar low values are observed in patients with sympathectomy and in patients with tetraplegia. (p.51)



The finger wrinkling response is abolished by upper thoracic sympathectomy. The test is also abnormal in some patients with diabetic autonomic dysfunction, the Guillan-Barre syndrome and other peripheral sympathetic dysfunction in limbs. (p.46)

Other causes of autonomic dysfunction without neurological signs include medications, acute autonomic failure, endocrine disease, surgical sympathectomy . (p.100) 




Anhidrosis is the usual effect of destruction of sympathetic supply to the face. However about 35% of patients with sympathetic devervation of the face, acessory fibres (reaching the face through the trigeminal system) become hyperactive and hyperhidrosis occurs, occasionally causing the interesting phenomenon of alternating hyperhidrosis and Horner's Syndrome (Ottomo and Heimburger, 1980). (p.159)



Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
By David Robertson, Italo Biaggioni
Edition: illustrated
Published by Informa Health Care, 1995
ISBN 3718651467, 9783718651467

"Sympathectomy is a destructive procedure that interrupts the sympathetic nervous system"

Cervico-thoracic or lumbar sympathectomy for neuropathic pain | Cochrane Summaries: "Sympathectomy is a destructive procedure that interrupts the sympathetic nervous system. Chemical sympathectomies use alcohol or phenol injections to destroy sympathetic nervous tissue (the so-called "sympathetic chain" of nerve ganglia). Surgical ablation can be performed by open removal or electrocoagulation (destruction of tissue with high-frequency electrical current) of the sympathetic chain, or by minimally invasive procedures using thermal or laser interruption. Nerve regeneration commonly occurs following both surgical or chemical ablation, but may take longer with surgical ablation.

This systematic review found only one small study (20 participants) of good methodological quality, which reported no significant difference between surgical and chemical sympathectomy for relieving neuropathic pain. Potentially serious complications of sympathectomy are well documented in the literature, and one (neuralgia) occurred in this study.

The practice of sympathectomy for treating neuropathic pain is based on very weak evidence. Furthermore, complications of the procedure may be significant."



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the clinical results of both surgical and neurolityc sympathectomy are uncertain

Blood diverted from muscle to skin after sympathectomy

However, the clinical results of both surgical and neurolityc sympathectomy are uncertain. Indeed these procedures lead to a redistribution of the blood flow in the lower limbs from the muscle to the skin, with a concomitant fall of the regional resistance, mainly in undamaged vessels. The blood flow will be diverted into this part of the vascular tree, so that a "stealing" of the blood flow may occur.

Vito A. Peduto, Giancarlo Boero, Antonio Marchi, Riccardo Tani

Bilateral extensive skin necrosis of the lower limbs following prolonged epidural blockade

Anaesthesia 1976; 31: 1068-75.

Stellate ganglion block - a form of chemical sympathectomy - alleviates anxiety, depression

Among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment with a single stellate ganglion block could help alleviate anxiety, depression and psychological pain rapidly and for long-term use, according to results presented at the American Society for Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting.

See Also

• Experts propose nerve blocks to treat PTSD
• DSM-5 PTSD screening may miss previously diagnosed ...
• Amygdala activation could predict PTSD susceptibility ...

Researchers performed a single right-sided stellate ganglion block (SGB) using 7 mL of 2% lidocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine under fluoroscopic guidance on 12 veterans with military-related, chronic extreme post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with hyperarousal symptoms. At baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-block, PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score and the Post-traumatic Stress Self Report (PSS-SR) scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory version 2. Anxiety related symptoms with a generalized anxiety scale score and the State-Trait Anxiety Index and psychological pain with the Mee-Bunney scale.

Study results showed the block was greatly effective in 75% of participants, with a positive effects taking effect often within minutes of SGB. At week 1, there was significant reduction of both CAPS and PSS-SR and researchers found CAPS approached normal-to-mild PTSD levels by 1 month. Anxiety, depression and psychological pain scores also were significantly reduced by the block, according to study results. Overall, positive effects remained evident at 3 months, but were generally gone by 6 months.

Reference:

Alkire MT. A1046. Presented at: American Society for Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting;  Oct. 11-15, 2014; New Orleans.

http://www.healio.com/psychiatry/ptsd/news/online/%7B14e0a858-100a-43b1-a0e0-47c6376cb885%7D/stellate-ganglion-block-alleviates-anxiety-depression-for-veterans-with-ptsd

24-hour melatonin measurements in normal subjects and after peripheral sympathectomy

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1991 Apr;72(4):819-23.

Sequential cerebrospinal fluid and plasma sampling in humans: 24-hour melatonin measurements in normal subjects and after peripheral sympathectomy.

Bruce J1, Tamarkin L, Riedel C, Markey S, Oldfield E.

Author information

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) melatonin and urinary excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin were performed in four normal volunteers and one patient before and after upper thoracic sympathectomy for the control of essential hyperhidrosis. For normal individuals, hourly 24-h melatonin concentrations in plasma and CSF exhibited similar profiles, with low levels during the day and high levels at night. Peak plasma levels varied from 122-660 pmol/L, and the peak CSF levels from 94-355 pmol/L. The onset of the nocturnal increase in melatonin did not occur at the same time for each individual. Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin levels also exhibited a daily rhythm, with peak excretion at night. The individual with the lowest nocturnal levels of circulating melatonin also had the lowest excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin. In the patient with hyperhidrosis, a prominent melatonin rhythm was observed preoperatively in the CSF and plasma. After bilateral T1-T2 ganglionectomy, however, melatonin levels were markedly reduced, and the diurnal rhythm was abolished. These results provide direct evidence in humans for a diurnal melatonin rhythm in CSF and plasma as well as regulation of this rhythm by sympathetic innervation.

"Please note, due to the complications of the ETS procedure and the few people who need it, ETS is NOT offered anymore at The Whiteley Clinic"

Prominent UK surgeon purges warning from his website. It remains accessible archived:

https://archive.today/PCmQf#selection-409.0-409.141

Sympathetic chain ganglia are responsible for delivering information to the rest of the body regarding stress situations and the fight or flight response

Sympathetic chain ganglia are responsible for delivering information to the rest of the body regarding stress situations and the fight or flight response. These sympathetic ganglia are the structures that are destroyed during a sympathectomy.
http://www.ast.org/publications/Journal%20Archive/2009/9_September_2009/CE.pdf

from: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST, A POSITIVE CARE APPROACH

Author: Association of Surgical Technologists
Edition: 003
Product Type: Book w/Multimedia (CD, DVD or Electronic)
ISBN 13: 9781418051686
ISBN 10: 1418051683
Copyright: 2008

The so called 'compensatory sweating' is NOT compensatory - BMJ Best Practice

"When patients with intense CH are analyzed, we observe that the amount of released sweat seems to be much greater than was that occurring at the primary hyperhidrosis location, not translating a simple compensation or sweating transference from one site to the other. Therefore, this hyperhidrosis seems to be reflex, mediated neurologically in the sweating regulatory center in the hypothalamus.

In order to avoid this neurologically mediated reflex, the sympathetic afferents to the hypothalamus should be restored, allowing negative feedback to block the efferent projection of the sweating regulatory center on the periphery.(14) Therefore, only the reinnervation of the sectioned sympathetic chain could recover this reflex."

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-37132008001100013&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en

https://archive.today/7B795

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

Print version ISSN 1806-3713

J. bras. pneumol. vol.34 no.11 São Paulo Nov. 2008                        

Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis^*

Roberto de Menezes Lyra^I; José Ribas Milanez de Campos^II; Davi Wen Wei Kang^III; Marcelo de Paula Loureiro^IV; Marcos Bessa Furian^V; Mário Gesteira Costa^VI; Marlos de Souza Coelho^VII

^IThoracic Surgeon. Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo - HSPE/SP, São Paulo Hospital for State Civil Servants - São Paulo, Brazil
^IIAssistant Professor in the Department of Thoracic Surgery. University of São Paulo Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil
^IIIThoracic Surgeon. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - HIAE - São Paulo, Brazil
^IVGeneral Surgeon. Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças, Curitiba, Brazil
^VThoracic Surgeon. Hospital Santa Lúcia, Cruz Alta, Brazil
^VIAdjunct Professor of Surgery. University of Pernambuco School of Medical Sciences, Recife, Brazil
^VIIAdjunct Professor of Surgery. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná Curitiba, Brazil

http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/search.html?searchableText=Hyperhidrosis&aliasHandle=guidelines&languageCode=en

https://archive.today/0UXdW

"Significant compensatory sweating in relation to the level(s) of sympathetic chain division occurred in T2 alone, 45%; T2 to T3, 30%; T3 to T4, 14%; T2 to T4, 38%; and more than three levels, 49%"

Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;85(2):390-3;

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18222231

The mechanisms by which sympathectomy leads to increased local bone loss is unknown

In vivo effects of surgical sympathectomy on intra... [Am J Otol. 1996] - PubMed - NCBI: "Am J Otol. 1996 Mar;17(2):343-6.

In vivo effects of surgical sympathectomy on intramembranous bone resorption.
Sherman BE1, Chole RA.
Author information
1Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
Abstract
Bone modeling and remodeling are highly regulated processes in the mammalian skeleton. The exact mechanism by which bone can be modeled at a local site with little or no effect at adjacent anatomic sites is unknown. Disruption of the control of modeling within the temporal bone may lead to various bone disease such as otosclerosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, Paget's disease of bone, fibrous dysplasia, or the erosion of bone associated with chronic otitis media. One possible mechanism for such delicate control may be related to the ubiquitous and rich sympathetic innervation of all periosteal surfaces. Previous studies have indicated that regional sympathectomy leads to qualitative alterations in localized bone modeling and remodeling. In this study, unilateral cervical sympathectomy resulted in significant increases in osteoclast surface and osteoclast number within the ipsilateral bulla of experimental animals. The mechanisms by which sympathectomy leads to increased local bone loss is unknown. Potential mechanisms include disinhibition of resorption, secondary to the elimination of periosteal sympathetics, as well as indirect vascular effects."

Prominent UK vascular surgeon no longer willing to perform ETS surgery

"Please note, due to the complications of the ETS procedure and the few people who need it, ETS is NOT offered anymore at The Whiteley Clinic."
http://www.sweating.co.uk/treatments_ETS-endoscopic-transthoracic-sympathectomy.htm
or archived page:
https://archive.today/PCmQf#selection-409.0-409.141

8th ISSS Symposium New York, 2009: “In no other area than Sympathetic Surgery, disagreement, conflicting opinion, different definitions and misleading interpretations of the data exist"

8th ISSS Symposium New York, 2009: 

“In no other area than Sympathetic Surgery, disagreement, conflicting opinion, different definitions and misleading interpretations of the data exist. Mainly regarding surgical indications, the level and extent of the procedure and results evaluation”.

ATS Expert Consensus for the Surgical Treatment of Hyperhidrosis powerpoint presentation  – October 6, 2012, XVI Congreso Boliviana de Cirugia Cardiaca, Toracica y Vascular, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

http://cirugiadetorax.org/2012/10/09/vats-sympathectomy-for-hyperhidrosis-dr-jose-ribas-de-milanez-de-campos/

or:

https://archive.today/Q047q

The Effects of Thoracic Sympathotomy on Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Compared with preoperative variables, there was a significant increase in the number of adjacent normal R wave to R wave (R- R) intervals that differed by more than 50 ms, as percent of the total number of normal RR intervals (pNN50); root mean square difference, the square root of the mean of the sum of squared differences between adjacent normal RR intervals over the entire 24-hour recording; standard deviation of the average normal RR in- terval for all 5-minute segments of a 24-hour recording (SDANN) after thoracic sympathotomy. Low frequencies (LF, 0.04 to 0.15 Hz) decreased significantly.
Yonsei Med J 53(6):1081-1084, 2012

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3481380/pdf/ymj-53-1081.pdf 

The most common complication is post-sympathectomy neuralgia

"The most common complication is post-sympathectomy neuralgia"



Neural Blockade in Clinical Anesthesia and Management of Pain By Michael J. Cousins,



 "The most common complication is post-sympathectomy neuralgia.... The reported incidence has varied widely between studies, from around 30% to 50%. Whether the sympathectomy is achived by open surgical resection or percutaneous techniques does not seem to influence the incidence."



Vascular Surgery: Principles and Practice by Robert W. Hobson, Samuel E. Wilson, Frank J. Veith - 2004 - Medical - 1600 pages



Postsympathectomy neuralgia is a constant and annoying feature of sympathectomy, and the patient should be forewarned."

Inflammation in dorsal root ganglia after peripheral nerve injury: Effects of the sympathetic innervation

Following a peripheral nerve injury, a sterile inflammation develops in sympathetic and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) with axons that project in the damaged nerve trunk. Macrophages and T-lymphocytes invade these gan- glia where they are believed to release cytokines that lead to hyperexcitability and ectopic discharge, possibly contributing to neuropathic pain. Here, we examined the role of the sympathetic innervation in the inflammation of L5 DRGs of Wistar rats following transection of the sciatic nerve, comparing the effects of specific surgical in- terventions 10–14 days prior to the nerve lesion with those of chronic administration of adrenoceptor antago- nists. Immunohistochemistry was used to define the invading immune cell populations 7 days after sciatic transection. Removal of sympathetic activity in the hind limb by transecting the preganglionic input to the rele- vant lumbar sympathetic ganglia (ipsi- or bilateral decentralization) or by ipsilateral removal of these ganglia with degeneration of postganglionic axons (denervation), caused less DRG inflammation than occurred after a sham sympathectomy. By contrast, denervation of the lymph node draining the lesion site potentiated T-cell in- flux. Systemic treatment with antagonists of α1-adrenoceptors (prazosin) or β-adrenoceptors (propranolol) led to opposite but unexpected effects on infiltration of DRGs after sciatic transection. Prazosin potentiated the influx of macrophages and CD4+ T-lymphocytes whereas propranolol tended to reduce immune cell invasion. These data are hard to reconcile with many in vitro studies in which catecholamines acting mainly via β2-adrenoceptors have inhibited the activation and proliferation of immune cells following an inflamma- tory challenge. 

Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical 182 (2014) 108–117 

Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, and the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

"patient information must include the long-term substantial risk for severe CS and regret of the procedure"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22191130

Chest wall paresthesia affects a significant but previously overlooked proportion of patients following sympathectomy

Paresthetic discomfort distinguishable from wound pain was described by 17 patients (50.0%). The most common descriptions were of ‘bloating’ (41.2%), ‘pins and needles’(35.3%), or ‘numbness’ (23.5%) in the chest wall. The paresthesia resolved in less than two months in 12 patients (70.6%), but was still felt for over 12 months in three patients (17.6%). Post-operative paresthesia and pain did not impact on patient satisfaction with the surgery, whereas compensatoryhyperhidrosis in 24 patients (70.6%) did (P=0.001). The rates and characteristics of the paresthesia following needlescopic VATS are similar to those observed after conventional VATS. Conclusions: Chest wall paresthesia affects a significant but previously overlooked proportion of patients following needlescopic VATS.



Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2005;27:313-319

the severity of post-sympathectomy (post-SE) dysfunction is unpredictable

 "The aim of this study was to identify retrospectively, lumbar sympathectomy (SE) using thermography (TG) and to evaluate clinically, the severity of post-sympathectomy (post-SE) dysfunction after anterior and lateral lumbar interbody fusion procedures (ALIF, XLIF).
METHODS:
Twenty eight patients with suspected SE were referred for TG to both legs. They completed our questionnaire on severity of difficulties after SE. We evaluated the ability of physical examinations to reveal the SE in contrast to TG and compared the symptoms (warmer leg and inhibited leg sweating) of SE with questionnaire responses as subjective measure and TG as objective measure.
RESULTS:
SE was diagnosed in 0.5% after ALIF at L5/S1, in 15% after ALIF at Th12-L5 and in 4% after XLIF at T12-L5. SE severely reduced the quality of life in two cases. The ability to distinguish differences in leg temperature by palpation after SE was found in 32%. All physical examinations together were insufficient for reliably disclosing SE. Subjective symptoms of SE were often false positive and proven SE by TG was often a clinically false negative.
CONCLUSION:
This is the first study to examine post-SE dysfunction objectivelya using TG after ALIF and XLIF, and the first to evaluate clinically, the severity of the post-SE syndrome. Before surgery we cannot foresee potentially poor SE results. For this reason, injury to the sympathetic chain during surgery must be avoided. The advantage of TG for identifying SE is its non-invasiveness and reliability.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24263213

most of the existing literature is geared towards assessing only the effectiveness of the surgical sympathectomy

"Given the fact that most of the existing literature is geared towards a) assessing only the effectiveness of the surgical sympathectomy procedures, and b) publishing only studies with positive results, adverse effects and complications are not systematically reported but rather as a secondary outcome. It seems, therefore, highly likely that the complications as reported here, are truly underestimated.



The study indicates that surgical sympathectomy, irrespective of operative approach and indication, may be associated with many and potentially serious complications.

Are We Paying a High Price for Surgical Sympathectomy? A Systematic Literature Review of Late Complications

http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900%2800%2944124-6/abstract

33% of patients reported compensatory hyperhidrosis that was either 'severe' or 'incapacitating'

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis of the...IPG487 Safety: "Compensatory hyperhidrosis was reported in 92% (416/453), 86% (1720/2000) and 74% (1265/1700) of patients in 3 case series. In 2 of these studies 33% (557/1700 and 150/453) of patients reported compensatory hyperhidrosis that was either 'severe' or 'incapacitating'."

Guidelines for Neuro-Musculoskeletal Thermography | AAThermology

Guidelines for Neuro-Musculoskeletal Thermography | AAThermology: "Infrared SSR evaluation of the neuromusculoskeletal system is performed to provide an overview of the location, extent and severity of sympathetic skin response abnormalities.  When abnormalities due to vasomotor/sudomotor dysfunction occur there are associated changes in skin galvanic impedance and skin temperature.  Skin galvanic impedance changes map closely with skin temperature. In physics this is explained by the fractal nature of infrared waves and their relationship to resistance and conductivity.   The SSR evaluation can be performed from the cranium to the base of the spine (inclusive of all segments) and torso to the extremities, extended to the fingers and toes.

Common Indications
Some of the common indications for performance of extremity and spine infrared SSR imaging include (1-11):

Evaluation or follow-up of patients with known or suspected vasomotor instability.
Assessment of patients with presumptive Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type I or II – formally known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD),  Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Vaso-motor Headache and Barre’-Leiou Syndrome.
Pre-procedure assessment for planning of interventional therapeutics.
Follow-up to determine technical adequacy of surgical intervention, i.e., sympathetic block, sympathectomy, peripheral nerve implantation and/or spinal cord stimulator placement.
Follow-up to detect improvement, progression or spread of disease, which may reflect change in condition.
Evaluation of vasospastic disorders, rheumatic inflammation and unexpected post operative or post fracture pain.
Evaluation of somatoautonomic and visceroautonomic responses which may be present secondary to acute trauma or disease.
Evaluation of other disorders associated with autonomic dysfunction such as shoulder hand syndrome.
Evaluation of non myelinated neuropathies.
Mapping of the extent of vasomotor instability to guide sympathetic response generator identification.
Mapping of the location of vasomotor instability for impairment rating purposes.
Confirmation of diagnostic inclusion criteria for clinical diagnostic purposes.
Confirmation of diagnostic inclusion criteria for research purposes."



'via Blog this'

Stellate Ganglion Block for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder | Psychiatric Annals

Stellate Ganglion Block for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder | Psychiatric Annals: "SGB has been shown to have utility for diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic purposes for a variety of conditions, including: chronic regional pain syndrome types I and II to the upper extremities (CRPS I and II); chronic and acute vascular insufficiency/occlusive vascular disorders of the upper extremities, such as Raynaud’s disease, intra-arterial embolization and vasospasm. SGB has also been found an effective treatment for poor lymphatic drainage and local edema of the upper extremity following breast surgery; postherpetic neuralgia; and phantom limb pain or amputation stump pain. Patients with quinine poisoning; sudden hearing loss and tinnitus; hyperhidrosis of the upper extremity; cardiac arrhythmias and ischemic cardiac pain; Bell’s palsy and a variety of orofacial pain syndromes, including neuropathic orofacial pain and trigeminal neuralgia; vascular headache such as cluster and migraine headaches; and neuropathic pain syndromes among cancer patients are all also candidates for SGB.2,3,12–16

SGB has also been recommended for improving blood flow to the cranium for angiography and following stroke/cerebrovascular accident and hyperhidrosis to the upper extremities.13,14 Additionally, SGB’s use has been reported in the treatment of Ménière’s syndrome3 and hot flashes.17–19"



https://archive.today/yOe5b

"He knows the procedure is controversial because of the unpredictability of side-effects"

Information about surgery for sweaty hands: surgeon "knows the procedure is controversial because of the unpredictability of side-effects"



"Ferrar believes much of the controversy lies in surgeons, mainly in America, who perform the surgery on anyone who asks for it, rather than the severe end of the spectrum.
"In America there are so many that have been operated on when it hasn't been necessary, or the surgeon has given the patient false expectations, that there are support groups for people who've had complications or adverse effects. The people that come to me are almost self-selecting; they've tried everything else."
The youngest patient he has performed an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy on was 8 years old, with most being in puberty (when the condition tends to arise). Or they are in their 20s when they are beginning relationships and jobs."



Publication info: Waikato Times [Hamilton, New Zealand] 07 Apr 2012: 22."

Sympathectomy is by no means a benign procedure, and sympathectomy for sweating can induce pain and allodynia

"Sympathectomy is by no means a benign procedure, and sympathectomy for sweating can induce pain and allodynia at the border zone which is sometimes associated with pronounced increase in sweating in that area." (p. 534) Surgical Disorders of the Peripheral Nerves by Rolfe Birch Springer, Jan 21, 2011 - Medical - 512 pages original article published in Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2002; 84:181-184"

"We quickly discovered that lay people often lack the (medical) knowledge to make well-considered judgements"

Jane McCredie: Wishing on risks

MjaInsight Monday, 11 November, 2013

https://www.mja.com.au

Moreover, GPs and plastic surgeons can both be approached directly by patients in The Netherlands. The physicians studied raised many arguments that were expected: they used patient autonomy, risks and benefits, normality and justice to limit wish-fulfilling medicine. In addition, arguments new to this debate were uncovered, which were frequently used to justify compliance with a patient's request. Such arguments seem familiar from conventional medicine, including empathy, the patient–doctor relationship and reassurance. Moreover, certain arguments that play a significant role in the literature on wish-fulfilling medicine and enhancement were not mentioned, such as concepts of disease and the enhancement–treatment dichotomy and ‘suspect norms’.

"We quickly discovered that lay people often lack the (medical) knowledge to make well-considered judgements"

http://jme.bmj.com/content/38/6/327.abstract?sid=c56f1dc3-84aa-4151-bf65-e9fb96268b59

NZ surgeons admits that ETS has temporary effect

The sympathetic nervous system is involved in control of body temperature including sweating and blood supply to the skin. Cutting the sympathetic nerve to a particular area switches off the sweating in that area.

The sympathetic nerve that controls the hand and part of the armpits runs inside the rib cage near the top of the chest. It has been known that cutting this nerve will turn off excessive sweating for many years (see diagram).

http://www.cvg.co.nz/services/excessive-sweating-hyperhidrosis-surgery-and-botox-injection/

The sympathetic system is responsible for the physiological responses to emotional states

The common epithet of “fight or flight” is being enlarged to be “fight, flight, or fright” or even “fight, flight, fright, or freeze.” Cannon’s original contribution was a catchy phrase to express some of what the nervous system does in response to a threat, but it is incomplete. The sympathetic system is responsible for the physiological responses to emotional states. The name “sympathetic” can be said to mean that (sym- = “together”; -pathos = “pain,” “suffering,” or “emotion”).
http://cnx.org/content/m46582/latest/?collection=col11496/latest

Following a peripheral nerve injury, a sterile inflammation develops in sympathetic and dorsal root ganglia

Following a peripheral nerve injury, a sterile inflammation develops in sympathetic and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) with axons that project in the damaged nerve trunk. Macrophages and T-lymphocytes invade these ganglia where they are believed to release cytokines that lead to hyperexcitability and ectopic discharge, possibly contributing to neuropathic pain. Here, we examined the role of the sympathetic innervation in the inflammation of L5 DRGs of Wistar rats following transection of the sciatic nerve, comparing the effects of specific surgical interventions 10-14days prior to the nerve lesion with those of chronic administration of adrenoceptor antagonists. Immunohistochemistry was used to define the invading immune cell populations 7days after sciatic transection. Removal of sympathetic activity in the hind limb by transecting the preganglionic input to the relevant lumbar sympathetic ganglia (ipsi- or bilateral decentralization) or by ipsilateral removal of these ganglia with degeneration of postganglionic axons (denervation), caused less DRG inflammation than occurred after a sham sympathectomy. By contrast, denervation of the lymph node draining the lesion site potentiated T-cell influx. Systemic treatment with antagonists of α1-adrenoceptors (prazosin) or β-adrenoceptors (propranolol) led to opposite but unexpected effects on infiltration of DRGs after sciatic transection. Prazosin potentiated the influx of macrophages and CD4+ T-lymphocytes whereas propranolol tended to reduce immune cell invasion. These data are hard to reconcile with many in vitro studies in which catecholamines acting mainly via β2-adrenoceptors have inhibited the activation and proliferation of immune cells following an inflammatory challenge.
Auton Neurosci. 2013 Dec 23.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24418114

"synaptic reorganization in the sympathetic chain or spinal cord after sympathotomy" - MAYO Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5520-06pdf/DOC-20077566

prolongation of the isometric (tension) period (TP) of the left ventricle occurred in the majority (72 per cent) of all cases after sympathectomy

The prolongation of the isometric (tension) period (TP) of the left ventricle which occurred in the majority (72 per cent) of all cases after unilateral or bilateral transthoracic sympathectomy (without or with unilateral or bilateral transthoracic splanchnicotomy) indicates a diminution of inotropic cardiac action. It can be assumed to correspond to the cholinergic (vagal) preponderance which results from a partial or complete sympathetic denervation of the heart. Reduction of the pulse pressure oc-

curred in 56 per cent of the cases, probably due to the same mechanism.

www.chestjournal.org/content/38/4/423.full.pdfby W RAAB - 1960

The second thoracic sympathetic ganglion was most commonly located (50%) in the second intercostal space

Presence of the stellate ganglion was noted in 56 (84.8%) sides, and 6 (9.1%) sides showed a single large ganglion formed by the stellate and the second thoracic sympathetic ganglia. The second thoracic sympathetic ganglion was most commonlylocated (50%) in the second intercostal space. CONCLUSION: The anatomic variations of the intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz and the second thoracic

sympathetic ganglion were characterized in human cadavers.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg  2002 Mar;123(3):498-501

Chung IH, Oh CS, Koh KS, Kim HJ, Paik HC, Lee DY.

significant change after sympathectomy: reduced sympathetic and increased vagal tone

The HRV analysis showed a significant change of indices reflecting sympatho-vagal balance indicating significantly reduced sympathetic (LF) and increased vagal (HF, rMSSD) tone. These changes still persisted after 2 years. Global HRV increased over time with significant elevation of SDANN after 2 years. QT dispersion was significantly reduced 1 month after surgery and the dispersion was further diminished 2 years later.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167527399001011

"sympathectomy is a form of sensory neurectomy" (p.1500)

Bonica's Management of Pain Scott Fishman, Jane Ballantyne, James P. Rathmell Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010 - Medical - 1661 pages

more than 75% of the patients evolved with an improvement in facial hyperhidrosis - nonsurgical treatment works, just don't ask the surgeons

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21738960

sympathectomized arteries become more susceptible to lipid accumulation

Combined effect of cholesterol feeding and sympathectomy on the lipid content in rabbit aortas

Atherosclerosis

Volume 37, Issue 4, December 1980, Pages 521–528

Decreased HRV is predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a variety of disease states

Water immersion-induced skin wrinkling (WISW) is dependent on intact peripheral sympathetic function. WISW was hypothesized to reflect autonomic function in subjects with- out peripheral neuropathy. We prospectively studied 70 healthy subjects (aged 31 88 years, 63% females) without cardiovascular risk factors or neurological disease. All sub- jects underwent short-term heart rate variability (HRV) stud- ies. Time and frequency domain variables were derived in- cluding the HRV index. WISW was graded using a previously validated scale of 1–4 of which 18.6% of subjects exhibited grade 1 (minimal) WISW and 35.7% had grade 2 WISW. On multivariate analysis using the HRV index, WISW was inde- pendently related to height and the HRV index. We conclude that WISW is related to central autonomic function.

Although the mechanism is not fully understood, WISW is felt to be caused by passive diffusion of water across the stratum corneum into the sweat ducts, which in turn alters electrolyte balance, decreases membrane stabilization, increases sympathetic neural firing and stimulates vasoconstriction [1–3, 8].WISW is decreased in diabetic patients and in patients after cervical sympathectomy [4, 9].

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the beat-to-beat variation in cardiac cycle length due to autonomic influence on the sinus node. Decreased HRV is predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a variety of disease states[5]. The influence of the central nervous system activity on autonomic function suggests that HRV may be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with cerebrovascular events [6].

Cardiology 2010;116:247–250 DOI: 10.1159/000316043

Received: May 10, 2010

Accepted after revision: May 28, 2010 Published online: August 18, 2010

Removal of the clips from the sympathetic trunk does not provide resolution of compensatory sweating

Removal of the clips from the sympathetic trunk does not provide resolution of compensatory sweating in 1 year of observation. T6-9 block does not provide remedy for compensatory hyperhidrosis. Regional abdomino-lumbar iontophoresis seems to be very promising, but further research and followup are mandatory.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3458267/

Natural bodily functioning does not include “purely autonomic” or “purely somatic” responses, just as it does not include ‘purely sympathetic” or “purely parasympathetic” responses

Langley initially expected to find afferent cell bodies in autonomic ganglia, with projections to other ganglia. He believed that activation of these “autonomic afferents” should lead to purely autonomic responses. However Langley’s own careful work demonstrated that there were no such neurons.

The fundamentally important point is that integrative processes responsible for the organization of visceral function occur principally within the central nervous system (brain and/or spinal cord). Both somatic and visceral afferents result in complex, brain mediated, responses that include somatic and visceral function. Autonomic motor activity can be generated by both somatic and visceral inputs to the CNS, and visceral inputs to the CNS initiate responses that are both somatic and autonomic. Natural bodily functioning does not include “purely autonomic” or “purely somatic” responses, just as it does not include ‘purely sympathetic” or “purely parasympathetic” responses.

Bill Blessing and Ian Gibbins (2008), Scholarpedia, 3(7):2787.

revision #46085 [link to/cite this article]

Curator: Dr. Bill Blessing, Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

there are three main conditions which could impair the autonomy of a patient's medical decision: insufficient information, irrational beliefs/desires, and influence of different framing effects

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8519.2012.01973.x/abstract

Topical ibuprofen inhibits blushing during embarrassment and facial flushing during aerobic exercise in people with a fear of blushing

The flush that develops during whole-body heat stress depends partly on prostaglandins production in the skin. Variations in the strength of this local mechanism may contribute to individual differences in susceptibility to blushing and associated anxiety. To investigate this in the present study, the anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen (which blocks prostaglandins formation) was applied topically to a small area of the cheek in 16 participants with a fear of blushing and in another 14 without this fear. Changes in skin blood flow were monitored at the ibuprofen-treated site and at a mirror image control site while participants sang (to induce embarrassment and blushing) and during aerobic exercise (to induce flushing). The topical ibuprofen treatment inhibited increases in cheek blood flow in both groups during both of these tasks. However, increases in cheek blood flow were greater in participants with high than low fear of blushing immediately after exercise. These findings suggest that prostaglandins contribute to dilatation of facial blood vessels both during emotional arousal (embarrassment) and aerobic exercise. Furthermore, fear of blushing may be associated with mechanisms that delay the resumption of normal vascular tone after a period of vasodilatation. Whether topical ibuprofen gel is suitable for intermittent or long-term use as an aid for blushing control requires further investigation.

• Peter D. Drummond^, , 
 
• Kate Minosora, 
 
• Gretta Little, 
 
• Wendy Keay

• School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, 6150 Western Australia, Australia

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X13002137

Drionic effectively "...reduced sweating for up to 6 weeks..."

Clinical Studies

The following comments are from clinical studies which demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of Drionic:

1. Efficacy of the Drionic unit in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1987;16:828-832. "...the Drionic unit appears to have a definite place in the treatment of hyperhidrosis." Daniel L. Akins, M.D. John L. Meisenheimer, M.D. Richard L. Dobson, M.D., Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Dermatology From the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 
2. A new device in the treatment of hyperhidrosis by iontophoresis. Cutis 1982;29:82-89. Drionic effectively "...reduced sweating for up to 6 weeks..." Further, the study concluded that "Because of its design, it has great potential for home use." CPT John L. Peterson, M.D. MAJ Sandra I. Read, M.D. COL Orlando G. Rodman, M.D. Chief, Dermatology Service From the Dermatology Service, Dept. of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
3. Tap water iontophoresis in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Int J Dermatol 26;1987:194-197. "Tap water iontophoresis is a recognized method of reducing sweat in various parts of the body. The Drionic device is a battery-operated method of inducing tap water iontophoresis. This simple device may be used at home and is effective in reducing hyperhidrosis for as long as 6 weeks." Mervyn L. Elgart, M.D., Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Dermatology Glenn Fuchs, M.D. From the Department of Dermatology, George Washington Univ. Medical Center, Washington, DC.
4. Efficacy of the Drionic unit in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. JAm Acad Dermatol 16:828-832, Apr. 1987. Elgart ML, Fuchs G: Tap water iontophoresis in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Int J Dermatol 26: 194-197, Apr. 1987. (old model)

Systemic therapy with glycopyrrolate or clonidine can be effective for HH. Nearly two-thirds responded to therapy, and less than a quarter had treatment-limiting adverse effects, all of which were self-limited and nonserious

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Mar;66(3):387-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.01.023. Epub 2011 Aug 4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21820204

Only 56% would recommend thoracoscopic sympathectomy to others with hyperhydrosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21539945

sympathectomy interrupts neural messages to many different organs, glands and muscles

Sympathectomy involves dissection of the main sympathetic trunk in the upper thoracic region thus interrupting neural messages that ordinarily would travel to many different organs, glands and muscles. It involves division of adrenergic, cholinergic and sensory fibers which elaborate adrenergic substances during the process of regulating visceral function.

Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 6(6): 659-664, 2010

Sympathectomy involves division of adrenergic, cholinergic and sensory fibers

Sympathectomy involves division of adrenergic, cholinergic and sensory fibers which elaborate adrenergic substances during the process of regulating viscera

http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/18/1/611.full.pdf+html

Post-sympathectomy neuralgia is proposed here to be a complex neuropathic and central deafferentation/reafferentation syndrome

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8867242

Long-term efficiency? 40% affirmed they would ask for the operation if it were to be redone, 53% recurrence

At an average 12 years after surgery, 47% of patients were satisfied with the treatment results, 40% were disappointed. 
53% complaining about a decent to moderate recurrence of hand sweating and compensatory and gustatory sweating were observed in 9 (60%) and 5 (33%) patients, respectively. 
Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg(2009) 8 (1): 54-57.

the medical profession is so trusted that its activities are rarely questioned

By Paul Komesaroff, Monash University; Ian Kerridge, University of Sydney, andWendy Lipworth, University of New South Wales
https://theconversation.edu.au/big-debts-in-small-packages-the-dangers-of-pens-and-post-it-notes-4949

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of oxybutynin for the initial treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis

Palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis improved in >70% of the patients, and 47.8% of those presented great improvement. Plantar hyperhidrosis improved in >90% of the patients. Most patients (65.2%) showed improvements in their quality of life. The side effects were minor, with dry mouth being the most frequent (47.8%).

Journal of Vascular Surgery, Volume 55, Issue 6, June 2012, Pages 1696-1700

"return of sweating in the hands is common occurrence in patients followed up for sufficient length of time"

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1989) vol. 7.1

limited understanding of the role of the sympathetic nervous system in mediating pain - NSW HEALTH

limited understanding of the role of the sympathetic nervous system in mediating pain

The role of sympathetic blocks in herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) remains controversial due to methodologic shortcomings in published studies and limited understanding of the role of the sympathetic nervous system in
mediating pain.


Information for Health Professionals          Hunter Integrated Pain Service         Updated January 2010

Procedural Intervention Guideline