The Changes of Skin Temperature on Hands and Feet During and after T3 Sympathicotomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis.
10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917
- Author:
Sung Moon JEONG
1
;
Tae Yop KIM
;
Yong Bo JEONG
;
Ji Yeon SIM
;
In Cheol CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. icchoi@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hyperhidorsis;
Skin Temperature;
Sympathicotomy;
Sympathectomy
- MeSH:
Thoracoscopy;
Sympathectomy/*methods;
*Skin Temperature;
Male;
Hyperhidrosis/physiopathology/*surgery;
Humans;
Hand/physiology/*surgery;
Foot/physiology;
Female;
Body Temperature Regulation;
Adult;
Adolescent
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2006;21(5):917-921
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Unilateral thoracic sympathectomy in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis causes a skin temperature drop in the contralateral hand. A cross-inhibitory effect by the post-ganglionic neurons innervating hands is postulated as a mechanism of contralateral vasoconstriction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether this cross-inhibitory effect also occurs in the feet. Twenty patients scheduled for thoracoscopic sympathicotomy due to palmar hyperhidosis were studied. Right T3 sympathicotomy was performed first, followed by left T3 sympathicotomy. The thenar skin temperatures of both hands and feet were continuously monitored using a thermometer and recorded before induction of anesthesia, during the operation, 4 hr after and 1 week later. Following right T3 sympathicotomy, the skin temperature of the ipsilateral hand gradually increased, however the skin temperature of the contralateral hand gradually decreased. Immediately after bilateral sympathicotomy, the skin temperature differences between hands and feet increased, but these differences decreased 1 week later. Our results show that cross-inhibitory control may exist in feet as well as in the contralateral hand. Thus, the release of cross-inhibitory control following T3 sympathicotomy results in vasoconstriction and decrease of skin temperature on the contralateral hand and feet. One week later, however, the temperature balance on hands and feet recovers.
