http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10497683

Ann Acad Med Singapore. 1999 Mar;28(2):282-3. Related Articles, Links  


Extensor pollicis longus paralysis following thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

Lie D, Low CK, Yeo TT.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an acceptable form of treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. Many authors have reported favourable results. Complications range from pneumo-haemothorax, Horner's syndrome, compensatory hyperhidrosis and bleeding. Plas et al reported 2.7% of the procedures had complications requiring intervention and 9.7% had non-interventive complications. There have been isolated reports of other rare complications including false aneurysm of intercostal artery, inferior brachial plexus injury and abnormal suntanning. We report an unusual case of isolated extensor pollicis longus paralysis after a thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis, in a fit young male. Such complications have not been previously reported. We recognise that such isolated nerve injury is uncommon.

Publication Types: 
Case Reports

PMID: 10497683 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 