OBJECTIVETo explore the anesthetic effect and safety of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade in video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

METHODSA total of 120 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for moderate or severe hyperhidrosis were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade (group A, n=60) or general anesthesia with tracheal intubation (group B, n=60). In both groups routine monitoring and radial artery catheterization were used. The patients in group A were given oxygen inhalation via a nasal tube after thoracic paravertebral blockade, and those in group B had intratracheal intubation. Blood gas analyses were conducted 5 min before and 5 min after the operation and the clinical outcomes and complications were recorded in each group.

RESULTSAll the patients completed the operations safely and none of the patients with thoracic paravertebral blockade required conversion to general anesthesia. Significant differences were recorded between groups A and B in anesthetic preparation time (6.26∓2.09 vs 46.32∓15.76 min), awakening time (6.26∓2.09 vs 46.32∓15.76 min), and mean hospitalization expense (6355.54∓426.00 vs 8932.25∓725.98 RMB Yuan). Compared with those in group B, the patients in group A showed a significantly lower rate of postoperative throat discomfort (0% vs 100%), a shorter monitoring time (2 h vs 12 h), and faster recovery time for food intake (2 h vs 6 h). The parameters of artery blood gas analysis both before and after the operation were similar between the two groups, but the postoperative variations differed significantly between the two groups in pH value and PaCObut not in PaO.

CONCLUSIONUltrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade is safe and effective in video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and is associated with less complications and better postoperative recovery.