Differential effects of surgical sympathetic block at the T2 and T4 level on vasoconstrictor function.

Endoscopic sympathetic block (ESB) is used as a treatment of excessive palmar sweating. In a prospective study we compared the effect of ESB at the level of the second (T2) and fourth thoracic ganglion (T4) on vasoconstriction and sweating of the hands. Sympathetic vasoconstriction was measured by computerassisted infrared thermography following ice water immersion of the hands in 22 hyperhidrosis patients before, two days and 3 months post op.

Effects of gender and level of surgical sympathetic block on vasoconstrictor function.

Interruption of sympathetic outflow by surgical sympathetic block has been used to treat hyperhidrosis for decades. In this study the effect of gender and the level of sympathetic block (T2 vs. T3) on the rewarming kinetics following ice water immersion were assessed in a prospective study on 60 hyperhidrosis patients before, 2 days, and 3 months postoperatively.