Thoracoscopic sympathectomy by Prof KB Galketiya   Source: Newsletter of the College of General Dental Practitioners of Sri Lanka Division of the thorasic ganglia of the sympathetic chain is done for following indications  Hyperhydrosis  Sympathetic dystrophy  Buergers disease In these situations 2nd to 4th thorasic ganglia are removed. Caution is required to preserve the Stellate ganglion in order to prevent Horners syndrome. This procedure used to be done by open surgery via neck or axilla. However at our institute we perform this using thoracoscopy. With minimal access approach the morbidity is reduced. In addition with thoracoscopy only up to second ganglion is visualized protecting the Stellate ganglion. Recently two patients with a cardiac arrhythmia were recently referred for symathectomy to denervate heart. In this situation it was necessary to remove supply from Stellate ganglion as well. In order to prevent Development of Horners syndrome dissection was ...

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