Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1998 Feb;31(2):208-211.

Thoracoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: One Case Report

• Kim TS
• Kim KT
• Kim HM
• Kim HJ
• Lee K

Abstract

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is an important clinical entity that is characterized by excessive or prolonged pain, vasomotor and other autonomic disturbances, delayed recovery of function, and trophic changes. This syndrome is among the most frequently encountered problems in clinical medicine, and proper diagnosis and therapy are critical. Accidental or surgical trauma or one of a variety of disease states may become a precipitating factor. Proper recognition and treatment result in rapid elimination of symptoms and complete recovery. A 56-years old male accidented total amputation of the proxomal part of the left index finger in May, 1996. Emergently, complete replantation procedure was successfully performed in the department of reconstructive surgery, medical center, Korea University. Afterward, he began to suffer from uncontrolled, prolonged pain in left index finger, proximally spreading pain to the left upper extremity and limited joint movement of the left shoulder. Although many treatments were used for this syndrom, not all of them were effective. Furthermore, the treatments which proved effective had detrimental side effects. However, thoracoscopic left thoracic sympathectomy was performed in our department. This therapy successfully relieved the pain and improved shoulder joint movement.

Keyword

Thoracoscopy; Sympathectomy; Sympathetic nervous system

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Clinical Medicine
Diagnosis
Fingers
Humans
Joints
Korea
Male
Middle Aged
Precipitating Factors
Recovery of Function
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy*
Reflex*
Replantation
Shoulder
Shoulder Joint
Sympathectomy*
Sympathetic Nervous System
Thoracoscopy
Upper Extremity