Ramicotomy in association with endoscopic sympathetic blockade in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

Background: The use of endoscopic sympathetic blockade (ESB) to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) has become more widespread recently. ESB of the T3 and T4 ganglia is more effective, although it results in a higher incidence of compensatory sweating (CS) than ESB of T4 alone. To reduce CS and improve the level of satisfaction and therapeutic success of ESB, we performed T3 ramicotomy in association with T4 ESB.

Profile of the research activity returned to the Brazilian Congress of Thoracic Surgery--Chest 2009.

Objective: To increase the knowledge of research activity in Thoracic Surgery in Brazil.

Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study of the abstracts published in the Annals of the Brazilian Congress of Thoracic Surgery - Thorax 2009, to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the geographic distribution and type of home institutions of abstracts, the types of studies and themes addressed.

Results: We published 182 abstracts, 174 (95.

T3T4 endoscopic sympathetic blockade versus T3T4 video thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

Background: The use of endoscopic sympathetic blockade (ESB) in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis has grown because of its potential reversibility. But it is still not clear whether the rates of success, compensatory sweating, and satisfaction are better than those accomplished with video thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VTS).

Methods: Eighty-four patients were studied to compare the rates of success, satisfaction, and compensatory sweating in patients undergoing either ESB or VTS of the T3T4 ganglion after 2 years' follow-up.

Pectus excavatum surgery: sternochondroplasty versus Nuss procedure.

Background: The repair of pectus excavatum (PE) by minimally invasive Nuss surgery is well established, but its complication rate is high and its indication is indiscriminate. Sternochondroplasty (SCP) provides good results with a low complication rate but requires a small transverse incision.

Methods: To compare SCP and Nuss, we analyzed 40 patients with PE who underwent surgery (SCP, n = 20; Nuss, n = 20).

Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis.

With the objective of establishing guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis, consensus meetings were held. Attendees included a general surgeon and thoracic surgeons affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery. The topics addressed were those that would ostensibly broaden multidisciplinary knowledge.

Pectus carinatum.

Among the deformities of the thoracic wall,pectus carinatum has not received the same attention as has pectus excavatum. Few pulmonologists, pediatricians, and thoracic surgeons are aware of the approaches to treating this condition. As a consequence, patients with pectus carinatum are not referred for treatment.

Mechanical model for simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract.

Objective: To create a mechanical model that could be regulated to simulate the conditioning of inspired and expired air with the same normal values of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity as those of the respiratory system of a healthy young man on mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Using several types of materials, a mechanical device was built and regulated using normal values of vital capacity, tidal volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and gas temperature in the system. The device was submitted to mechanical ventilation for a period of 29.