Original article
Our own experiences of thoracic sympathectomy – a preliminary report

Introduction: Thoracic sympathectomy is a method of treatment of vasomotor diseases and some organic vascular diseases.

Aim: The aim of the study is to present our own experiences with method of thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the therapeutic effect for patients with vasomotor disorders.

Materials and methods: During the years 2003-2005 12 one-sided thoracosympathectomies were performed. There were 8 women and 4 men from 19 to 49 years old (average 32 years old). In 8 cases the indication for treatment was Raynaud’s disease and in 4 Buerger’s disease. Sympathetic denervation of the upper limb was done by sympathectomy of II-IV thoracic ganglions and proximal part of II and III intercostals nerves. The effect of the treatment was checked directly after surgery and later in the outpatient clinic.

Results: As a good end result we define: warming up the limb, pain release and healing of wounds. Patients with Raynaud’s disease achieved the best end result. Less efficiency of therapeutic result appeared in patients with Buerger’s disease and appeared in 50% of patients from this group. There were no complications observed in this method.

Conclusions Thoracosympathectomy is quite simple surgery, very effective specially for patients with vasomotor diseases of arteries of upper limbs.