Axillary Sympathectomy for Upper Extremities

Abstract

Among the several various surgical approaches to the cervico-dorsal sympathetic system, the axillary approach seems to us the operation of choice. The operation is simple, gives excellent access to the required sympathetic ganglions, including the lower part of the stellate ganglion, down to the fifth thoracic ganglion. In all cases the sympathectomy was clinically complete. The postoperative course was mostly smooth, and the few cases of transient Horner's Syndrome, pneumothorax and hemothorax could have been avoided.