http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15942581&query_hl=10

1: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2005 Jun;129(6):1379-82. Related Articles, Links  

  
Long-term pulmonary function after thoracic sympathectomy.

Ponce Fonzalez MA, Julia Serda G, Santana Rodriguez N, Rodriguez Suarez P, Perez Penate G, Freixinet Gilart J, Cabrera Navarro P.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term and midterm effects of thoracic sympathectomy on pulmonary function and to assess the influence of the sympathetic nervous system on bronchomotor tone. Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients were diagnosed with primary hyperhidrosis requiring thoracic sympathectomy and were included in this study. Spirometry and methacholine challenge testing were performed before and 3 months after surgery. To assess the long-term effects of the intervention, another spirometric study was performed 1 year later. Results Spirometry 3 months after surgery showed a significant decrease in the forced vital capacity (-5.2%), the forced expiratory volume in the first second (-6.1%), and the forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (-5.1%). Whereas methacholine challenge testing before surgery was positive in 3 subjects (2 of whom were asthmatic), it was positive in 6 patients after the procedure; differences were not statistically significant. After 12 months, forced vital capacity started recovering, and forced expiratory volume in the first second and forced expiratory flow rate 25% to 75% showed a sustained and significant reduction (-2.8% and -11.2%, respectively); however, patients remained asymptomatic. Conclusions We conclude that thoracic sympathectomy generates a mild, although significant, impairment of the bronchomotor tone, with no clinical consequences. These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system is involved in pulmonary bronchomotor tone.

PMID: 15942581 [PubMed - in process] 
