Influence of Contrast Media on Alcoholic Sympathectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been unexpected cases of failed alcoholic sympathectomy, even though satisfactory effects had been obtained in test blocks with a mixture of contrast media and local anesthetics. It was plausible to suspect the contrast media as a cause of the failure of alcoholic sympathectomy. So, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the contrast media can hinder the action of alcohol in alcoholic sympathectomy or not. METHODS: In Sprague - Dawley rats (200 300g), thoracic paravertebral sympathetic chains were exposed and planned regimens were injected in these regions. The rats were divided randomly into seven groups, group C (control group), group D (administration of dye just after exposure), group D-A30 (administration of dye just after exposure, administration of alcohol 30 min. after dye), group A30 (administration of alcohol 30 min. after exposure), group D-A0 (administration of dye just after exposure, administration of alcohol just after dye), group D-A60 (administration of dye just after exposure, administration of alcohol 60 min. after dye) and group D-A90 (administration of dye just after exposure, administration of alcohol 90 min. after dye). Degrees of cytoplasmic contraction were evaluated in the ganglion cells of each member of the experimental groups. RESULTS: The contraction ratios of cytoplasms in group D-A30 and A30 were greater than that of group C and D. The contraction ratios of cytoplasm in group D-A60 and D-A90 were greater than those of group D-A0 and D-A30. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the contrast media seems to hinder the action of alcohol in alcoholic sympathectomy.

Is Palmar Skin Temperature a Indicator for the Success of Thoracic Sympathectomy in Hyperhidrosis Patients? / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGREOUND: The sympathetic investigations during thoracic sympathectomy are essential to an adequate sympathectomy that will lead to sufficient and lasting relief of palmar hyperhidrosis. The measurement of palmar skin temperature has been used as an indicator of success of transcutaneous chemical thoracic sympathectomy. We measured intraoperative palmar skin temperature to know whether it can be used as a same purpose in the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthsia. METHODS: Fifteen patients (18 to 25 years old) with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthesia. The palmar skin temperature was measured with a skin probe of a thermometer applied on the both index finger tips. The palmar skin temperature was monitored continuously from the beginning of anesthesia to the complete arousal. RESULTS: The palmar skin temperature increased significantly by about 3 degrees C just after induction. There was no significant difference in the palmar skin temperature between just before sympathectomy and soon after sympathectomy during the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative measurement of palmar skin temperature can not indicate a definite sympathectic denervation during the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthesia.