A comprehensive study of the abdominal ganglia part 2: Aorticorenal ganglia.

Investigation into reports of pain treatment for abdominal cancer and abdominal pain syndromes revealed the lack of human studies on some of the abdominal sympathetic ganglia. Recent studies on renal artery denervation therapy as treatment for resistant hypertension has made the aorticorenal ganglia of particular importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the location, morphology, interconnections, and histological nature of aorticorenal ganglia. We dissected nine abdominal cavities and harvested 37 aorticorenal ganglia. Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson's staining techniques were used to study the histological structure. Additionally, ganglia harvested from five individuals were stained with immunohistochemical techniques to test for tyrosine hydroxylase activity. All aorticorenal ganglia were located in proximity to the renal artery, and the majority were close to the vessel origin. Identification of multiple aorticorenal ganglia was the norm, and ranged from 2 to 4 on the left and 1 to 3 on the right. While the pattern of aorticorenal ganglia seemed to be unique in each individual case, the interconnections between these and other ganglia were vast. The aorticorenal ganglia shared direct connections with the celiac, gonadal, inferior mesenteric, and first lumbar sympathetic trunk ganglion. Contributions from the greater, lesser, and least thoracic splanchnic nerves were also observed. While the results of our study may not have direct clinical implications in isolation, the vast number of interconnections with the other abdominal ganglia may cause complications in procedures such as celiac ganglion block. In addition, aorticorenal innervation interruption may lead to hypotension.

A comprehensive study of the abdominal ganglia part 1: Celiac, phrenic and superior mesenteric ganglia.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis and other abdominal pain syndromes may develop debilitating pain throughout the course of their illness with little to no relief by most conventional methods. While some form of relief is experienced by patients, not all benefit from these procedures and side effects, while transitory in most cases are severe and often not expected. Our aim was therefore to investigate the anatomy surrounding the abdominal sympathetic ganglia, the target for the invasive procedures in an attempt to understand the variations in results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The abdominal cavities of nine individuals were dissected and the ganglia investigated, harvested and histologically and immunochemical stained. RESULTS: The phrenic ganglion was found inconsistently and more often in the left than the right. If present it was located in association with the inferior phrenic artery and often connected to the celiac ganglion. The celiac ganglion was located anterior to the diaphragmatic crus on both sides and specifically posteromedial to the suprarenal gland and superior to the renal artery on the left. On the right it was located posterior to the suprarenal gland and inferior vena cava also superior to the renal vessels. The superior mesenteric ganglion was only positively identified in one individual and was located on the left lateral aspect of the superior mesenteric artery. CONCLUSION: The blockade procedures for treatment of pain are developed to target the area around the celiac artery where the ganglion is commonly described to be located. However, based on our results of its location and interconnections the ganglion is not located in the targeted area.

Simpaticotomía bilateral video asistida por hiperhidrosis: análisis de 102 pacientes / Bilateral video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy for hiperhidrosis: analysis of 102 patients

Resumen La hiperhidrosis es un trastorno caracterizado por la producción excesiva de sudor por las glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas que influye negativamente en las actividades sociales, laborales y fundamentalmente en la calidad de vida. Se divide en primaria o secundaria. La primaria es una enfermedad benigna caracterizada por una excesiva sudoración con mayor frecuencia en palmas, plantas, axilas y cara. Su incidencia es del 1% de la población y su causa es desconocida. La mayoría de los tratamientos médicos no logran un buen control sintomático y frecuentemente son transitorios. La simpaticotomía torácica bilateral videoasistida se ha vuelto el tratamiento de elección en pacientes muy sintomáticos. En el período de 1998 a 2018 se realizaron 174 simpaticotomias bilaterales videoasistidas por hiperhidrosis primaria, de las cuales 102 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se excluyeron a 72 pacientes. El 20.5% fueron hombres y el 79.5% mujeres con una edad media de 29.22 años. En cuanto a la localización fue palmoplantar axilar en un 50.9%, axilar en un 23.5%, palmoplantar en un 10.7%, palmar en un 7.8%, palmoaxilar 6.8% y facial 5.8%. Los pacientes con sudoración palmar presentaron 94.9% de mejoría, axilar 84.51%, plantar 46.25% y facial 84% respectivamente. El post operatorio arrojó una media de internación de 1.1 días. Como efecto no deseado, se presentó sudoración compensatoria en 53 casos y complicaciones postoperatorias en 18 casos. Concluimos que es una técnica segura, que resuelve de manera significativa la sudoración, mejorando la calidad de vida.

Abstract Hyperhidrosis is a disorder consisting of excessive sweating through the different body sweat glands, which produces a negative impact socially and in work-related activities in those that suffer this condition. There are primary and secondary forms. The primary form is a benign condition with excessive sweating mainly in palms, soles of feet, axillae and face. It affects a 1% of the population, and its cause is unknown. Most medical treatments are unsuccessful, and at best, transitory. In patients who are very troubled by the condition, videoassisted bilateral thoracic sympathicotomy has become the elective treatment. In the period ranging from 1998 to 2018, 174 procedures were undertaken for primary hyperhidrosis, of which 102 satisfied the inclusion criteria. 72 patients were excluded. A 20.5% were males, and 79.5% were females, with an average age of 29.22 years at surgery. As to localization of sweating, a 50.9% was palmar-plantar-axillary, 23.5% axillary, 10.7% palmarplantar, 7.8% palmar, 6.8% palmar-axillary, and a 5.8% facial. Those patients with palmar sweating showed a 94.9% improvement, those with axillary sweating a 88.51%, with plantar a 46.25% and those with facial sweating a 84% improvement. The average admission time was 1.1 days. As an undesired effect, compensatory sweating occurred in 53 cases and postoperative complications in 18 cases. We conclude this is a safe technique, that diminishes sweating significantly, improving patient's quality of life.

[Bilateral video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy for hiperhidrosis: analysis of 102 patients]. / Simpaticotomía bilateral video asistida por hiperhidrosis: análisis de 102 pacientes.

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder consisting of excessive sweating through the different body sweat glands, which produces a negative impact socially and in work-related activities in those that suffer this condition. There are primary and secondary forms. The primary form is a benign condition with excessive sweating mainly in palms, soles of feet, axillae and face. It affects a 1% of the population, and its cause is unknown. Most medical treatments are unsuccessful, and at best, transitory. In patients who are very troubled by the condition, videoassisted bilateral thoracic sympathicotomy has become the elective treatment. In the period ranging from 1998 to 2018, 174 procedures were undertaken for primary hyperhidrosis, of which 102 satisfied the inclusion criteria. 72 patients were excluded. A 20.5% were males, and 79.5% were females, with an average age of 29.22 years at surgery. As to localization of sweating, a 50.9% was palmar-plantar-axillary, 23.5% axillary, 10.7% palmarplantar, 7.8% palmar, 6.8% palmar-axillary, and a 5.8% facial. Those patients with palmar sweating showed a 94.9% improvement, those with axillary sweating a 88.51%, with plantar a 46.25% and those with facial sweating a 84% improvement. The average admission time was 1.1 days. As an undesired effect, compensatory sweating occurred in 53 cases and postoperative complications in 18 cases. We conclude this is a safe technique, that diminishes sweating significantly, improving patient's quality of life.

La hiperhidrosis es un trastorno caracterizado por la producción excesiva de sudor por las glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas que influye negativamente en las actividades sociales, laborales y fundamentalmente en la calidad de vida. Se divide en primaria o secundaria. La primaria es una enfermedad benigna caracterizada por una excesiva sudoración con mayor frecuencia en palmas, plantas, axilas y cara. Su incidencia es del 1% de la población y su causa es desconocida. La mayoría de los tratamientos médicos no logran un buen control sintomático y frecuentemente son transitorios. La simpaticotomía torácica bilateral videoasistida se ha vuelto el tratamiento de elección en pacientes muy sintomáticos. En el período de 1998 a 2018 se realizaron 174 impaticotomias bilaterales videoasistidas por hiperhidrosis primaria, de las cuales 102 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se excluyeron a 72 pacientes. El 20.5% fueron hombres y el 79.5% mujeres con una edad media de 29.22 años. En cuanto a la localización fue palmoplantar axilar en un 50.9%, axilar en un 23.5%, palmoplantar en un 10.7%, palmar en un 7.8%, palmoaxilar 6.8% y facial 5.8%. Los pacientes con sudoración palmar presentaron 94.9% de mejoría, axilar 84.51%, plantar 46.25% y facial 84% respectivamente. El post operatorio arrojó una media de internación de 1.1 días. Como efecto no deseado, se presentó sudoración compensatoria en 53 casos y complicaciones postoperatorias en 18 casos. Concluimos que es una técnica segura, que resuelve de manera significativa la sudoración, mejorando la calidad de vida.

New basic insights on the potential of a chitosan-based medical device for improving functional recovery after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate: (i) the neuro-regenerative potential of chitosan membrane (CS-Me) on acutely axotomised autonomic neurones in vitro; (ii) to exclude the possibility that a pro-regenerative biomaterial could interfere with the proliferation activity of prostate cancer cell lines; (iii) to provide an in vivo proof of the biocompatibility and regeneration promoting effect of CS-Me in a standardised rat model of peripheral nerve injury and repair; (iv) finally, to evaluate the tissue reaction induced by the degrading material; as previous studies have shown promising effects of CS-Me for protection of the neurovascular bundles for potency recovery in patients that undergo nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Addressing aim (i), the neuro-regenerative potential, organotypic cultures derived from primary sympathetic ganglia were cultured on CS-Me over 3 days and neurite extension and axonal sprouting were evaluated. Addressing aim (ii), effects of CS on cancer cells, different human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU-145, LN-Cap) were seeded on CS-coated plates or cultured in the presence of CS-Me dissolution products. Addressing aims (iii) and (iv), functional recovery of peripheral nerve fibres and tissue reaction with the biomaterial, CS-Me and CS nerve guides were used to repair a median nerve injury in the rat. Functional recovery was evaluated during the post-recovery time by the behavioural grasping test. RESULTS: CS-Me significantly stimulated axon elongation from autonomic ganglia in comparison to control conditions in organotypic three-dimensional cultures. CS coating, as well as the dissolution products of CS-Me, led to a significantly lower proliferation rate of prostate cancer cell lines in vitro. Tissue reaction towards CS-Me and standard CS nerve guides was similar in the rat median nerve model, as was the outcome of nerve fibre regeneration and functional recovery. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide the first experimental evidence in support of the clinical safety of CS-Me and of their postulated effectiveness for improving functional recovery after RP. The presented results are coherent in demonstrating that acutely axotomised autonomic neurones show increased neurite outgrowth on CS-Me substrate, whilst the same substrate reduces prostate cancer cell line proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, CS-Me do not demonstrate any disadvantage for peripheral nerve repair in a standard animal model.

Objective evaluation of plantar hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to prospectively, randomly, blindly, and objectively investigate how surgery affects plantar sudoresis in patients with palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis over a one-year period using a sudorometer (VapoMeter). METHODS: From February 2007 to May 2009, 40 consecutive patients with combined palmar hyperhidrosis and plantar hyperhidrosis underwent video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy at the T3 or T4 ganglion level (15 women and 25 men, with a mean age of 25 years). RESULTS: Immediately after the operation and during the one-year follow-up, all of the patients were free from palmar hyperhidrosis episodes. Compensatory hyperhidrosis of varying degrees was observed in 35 (87.5%) patients after one year. Only two (2.5%) patients suffered from severe compensatory hyperhidrosis. There was a large initial improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis in 46.25% of the cases, followed by a progressive regression of that improvement, such that only 30% continued to show this improvement after one year. The proportion of patients whose condition worsened increased progressively (from 21.25% to 47.50%), and the proportion of stable patients decreased (32.5% to 22.50%). This was not related to resection level; however, a lower intensity of plantar hyperhidrosis prior to sympathectomy correlated with worse evolution. CONCLUSION: Patients with palmar hyperhidrosis and plantar hyperhidrosis who underwent video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy to treat their palmar hyperhidrosis exhibited good initial improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis, which then decreased to lesser degrees of improvement over a one-year period following the surgery. For this reason, video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy should not be performed when only plantar hyperhidrosis is present.