Surgical techniques: Dorsal cervico-thoracic sympathectomy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Surgical interruption of the cervical-thoracic sympathetic chain has been used for a spectrum of different purposes, but is now considered relatively rare. The current indications for cervical-thoracic sympathectomy include sympathetic-mediated skin hypersensitivity and allodynia related to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and secondary vasoconstrictive upper extremity ischemia (Raynaud's phenomenon), both of which may occur in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). While supraclavicular, transaxillary and open transthoracic approaches to sympathectomy exist, the vast majority of interventions on the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk are now performed in a minimally-invasive fashion through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The purpose of this chapter is to outline a step-wise description of video-thoracoscopic cervico-thoracic sympathectomy as applied to patients with TOS, describing a thorough, flexible, and safe approach. Video-thoracoscopic sympathectomy offers the experienced surgeon a versatile and effective strategy to intervene in well-selected patients with CRPS or digital ischemia in association with TOS.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThoracic Outlet Syndrome
Subtitle of host publicationSecond Edition
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages303-309
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9783030550738
ISBN (Print)9783030550721
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 25 2021

Keywords

  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Dorsal sympathectomy
  • Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
  • Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Surgical techniques
  • Sympathetically maintained pain syndrome

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