Inflammatory pseudotumor and myofibroblastic inflammatory tumor. Diagnostic criteria and prognostic differences.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) are two very rare entities that were formerly included in the same category; however, today they are considered two different diseases due to the neoplastic origin of the IMT. Our objective is to share our experience in the management of these two types of tumors that we must take into account in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary masses or nodules. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a pathological diagnosis of IPT and IMT who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively studied. We recorded the pre and postoperative information of each one, as well as the survival analysis. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients, 8 were men and 5 women. The mean age of presentation was 53,5 years. An atypical segmentectomy was performed in 6 patients; a lobectomy was necessary in 6 and a pneumonectomy in 1 case. In all cases a complete resection was achieved. Diagnosis was possible thanks to histology, immunohistochemical (IHQ) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques determining the expression of IgG4 and the rearrangement of ALK, respectively. After a median follow up of 49 months, we didn't find any loco-regional or distant recurrence in the patients studied. CONCLUSION: IPT and IMT are rare tumors with a very good prognostic. The diagnosis of both entities is based mainly on specific anatomopathological techniques. Surgery has, in most cases, both a diagnostic and therapeutic role.

Inflammatory pseudotumor and myofibroblastic inflammatory tumor. Diagnostic criteria and prognostic differences. / Seudotumor inflamatorio y tumor miofibroblástico inflamatorio. Criterios diagnósticos y diferencias pronósticas.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) are two very rare entities that were formerly included in the same category; however, today they are considered two different diseases due to the neoplastic origin of the IMT. Our objective is to share our experience in the management of these two types of tumors that we must take into account in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary masses or nodules. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a pathological diagnosis of IPT and IMT who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively studied. We recorded the pre and postoperative information of each one, as well as the survival analysis. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients, 8 were men and 5 women. The mean age of presentation was 53,5 years. An atypical segmentectomy was performed in 6 patients; a lobectomy was necessary in 6 and a pneumonectomy in 1 case. In all cases a complete resection was achieved. Diagnosis was possible thanks to histology, immunohistochemical (IHQ) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques determining the expression of IgG4 and the rearrangement of ALK, respectively. After a median follow up of 49 months, we didnt find any loco-regional or distant recurrence in the patients studied. CONCLUSION: IPT and IMT are rare tumors with a very good prognostic. The diagnosis of both entities is based mainly on specific anatomopathological techniques. Surgery has, in most cases, both a diagnostic and therapeutic role.

Prognostic significance of histopathological factors in survival and recurrence of atypical carcinoid tumours.

OBJECTIVES: Atypical carcinoids are neuroendocrine neoplasms of intermediate degree and low frequency. The aim of this study is to analyse their clinical characteristics and the importance of different histopathological factors in their prognosis. METHODS: Multicentre cooperative group EMETNE prospectively reviewed 153 patients operated on between 1998 and 2016 with diagnosis of atypical carcinoids. Clinical variables and histopathological features were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 54.36 years, similar for both genders. Concerning pathological study, mean tumour size was 31.7 mm. Rosettes were presented in 17% of the cases and tumoural necrosis in 23.3%. The cell proliferation factor Ki-67 index was 10.7%. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.8% and 88.9%, respectively. In the univariate study, statistically significant differences in survival were found for each of the categories of T, N and M factors. Mitotic index and quantification of expression of Ki-67 showed influence in overall survival, although without statistical significance. In the multivariate analysis, factors N, M and mitotic index behaved as independent prognostic factors related to survival. Median disease-free interval in the series was 163.35 months. In cases with loco-regional recurrence, 53% had positive hiliar or mediastinal nodal involvement at the time of the surgery. In the univariate analysis, we observed statistically significant differences in disease-free interval in patients with nodal involvement (P = 0.024) and non-anatomical resections (P = 0.04). Histological characteristics showed no statistically significant differences in disease-free interval. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node involvement, the development of distant metastasis and mitotic index, more than Ki-67 determination, were shown as independent prognostic factors related to survival of these patients.

Is age a predisposing factor of postoperative complications after lung resection for primary pulmonary neoplasms? / ¿Es la edad un factor predisponente de complicaciones postoperatorias en las resecciones pulmonares por neoplasias pulmonares primarias?

INTRODUCTION: Age has been classically considered as a determining factor for the development of postoperative complications related to lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma. The Postoperative Complications Study Group of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery has promoted a registry to analyze this factor. METHODS: A total of 3,307 patients who underwent any type of surgical resection for bronchogenic carcinoma have been systematically and prospectively recorded in any of the 24 units that are part of the group. Several variables related to comorbidity and age, as well as postoperative complications, were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 65,44. Men were significantly more common than female. The most frequent complication was prolonged air leak, which was observed in more than one third of patients. In a univariant analysis, air leak presence and postsurgical atelectasis showed statistical association with patient age, when stratified in age groups. In a multivariate analysis, age was recognized as an independent prognostic factor in relation to air leak onset. However, this could not be confirmed for postoperative atelectasis. CONCLUSION: Age is a predisposing factor for the development of postoperative complications after lung resection. Other associated factors also influence the occurrence of these complications.

Es la edad un factor predisponente de complicaciones postoperatorias en las resecciones pulmonares por neoplasias pulmonares primarias / Is age a predisposing factor of postoperative complications after lung resection for primary pulmonary neoplasms?

INTRODUCCIÓN: La edad del paciente ha sido clásicamente interpretada como un factor condicionante de la aparición de complicaciones postoperatorias en cirugía de resección pulmonar por carcinoma broncogénico. El Grupo de Estudio de Complicaciones Postoperatorias de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Torácica promovió un registro que permitiera analizar este hecho. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron de forma consecutiva, sistemática y prospectiva los datos de un total de 3.307 pacientes tratados con algún tipo de resección quirúrgica por carcinoma broncogénico en las 24 unidades que forman parte del grupo. Fueron analizadas variables relativas a la comorbilidad y la edad del paciente, así como a las complicaciones postoperatorias acaecidas. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los pacientes intervenidos fue de 65,44 años. La población masculina en la serie era significativamente mayor que la femenina. La complicación más frecuente fue la fuga aérea prolongada, que ocurrió en más de un tercio de los pacientes. En el estudio univariante, la aparición de fugas aéreas y de atelectasias posquirúrgicas mostraron asociación estadística con la edad de los enfermos, analizada por grupos etarios. En el análisis multivariante, la edad se presentó como un factor pronóstico independiente en relación con la aparición de fugas aéreas posquirúrgicas, no así en cuanto a las atelectasias posresección. CONCLUSIÓN: La edad es un factor predisponente para el desarrollo de complicaciones postoperatorias tras resección pulmonar en nuestro medio, si bien otros factores asociados condicionan también la aparición de estas complicaciones

INTRODUCTION: Age has been classically considered as a determining factor for the development of postoperative complications related to lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma. The Postoperative Complications Study Group of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery has promoted a registry to analyze this factor. METHODS: A total of 3,307 patients who underwent any type of surgical resection for bronchogenic carcinoma have been systematically and prospectively recorded in any of the 24 units that are part of the group. Several variables related to comorbidity and age, as well as postoperative complications, were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 65,44. Men were significantly more common than female. The most frequent complication was prolonged air leak, which was observed in more than one third of patients. In a univariant analysis, air leak presence and postsurgical atelectasis showed statistical association with patient age, when stratified in age groups. In a multivariate analysis, age was recognized as an independent prognostic factor in relation to air leak onset. However, this could not be confirmed for postoperative atelectasis. CONCLUSION: Age is a predisposing factor for the development of postoperative complications after lung resection. Other associated factors also influence the occurrence of these complications

Design and development of a nutritional assessment application for smartphones and tablets with Android® OS / Diseño y desarrollo de una aplicación de valoración nutricional para smartphones y tablets Android®

Background & Aims: To design and develop a nutritional application for smartphones and tablets with Android® operating system for using to in- and outpatients that need a nutritional assessment. To check the validity of the results of such software. Methods: The application was compiled for version 2.1 of the Android® operating system from Google®. A cohort of 30 patients was included for evaluating the reliability of the application. The calculations were performed by staff of the Nutrition Unit of the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, manually and through e-Nutrimet© software on a smartphone and a tablet. Results: Concordance was absolute between results of different methods obtained using e-Nutrimet© on a smartphone and a tablet (Fleiss index κ = 1). The same level of concordance was obtained by comparing handmade and e-Nutrimet© made results. Conclusions: The degree of correlation is good, and it would be extended to all healthcare staff who wants to determine whether a patient has malnutrition, or not. The nutritional assessment software e-Nutrimet© does not replace healthcare staff in any case, but could be an important aid in assessing patients who may be in risk of malnutrition, saving time of evaluation (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: Diseñar y desarrollar una aplicación nutricional para smartphones y tablets con Sistema operativo Android® para realizar las valoraciones nutricionales de pacientes ambulatorios y hospitalizados. Verificar y comprobar la validez de los resultados de la aplicación. Métodos: La aplicación se compile para la versión 2.1del Sistema operativo Android® de Google®. Para evaluarla fiabilidad de la aplicación se incluyeron a 30 pacientes, a los que se le realizó una valoración nutricional. Todos los cálculos fueron efectuados por personal de la Unidad de Nutrición del Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, de forma manual y a través del software e-Nutrimet©,tanto usando un Smartphone como una tablet. Resultados: Se obtuvo una concordancia absoluta entre los resultados de los diferentes métodos obtenidos utilizando la aplicación e-Nutrimet© en smartphones y en tablets (Fleiss index κ = 1). El mismo nivel de concordancia se obtuvo comparando el método manual como el automatizado mediante el software e-Nutrimet©. Conclusiones: El grado de correlación es muy bueno, permitiendo extender la valoración nutricional usando e-Nutrimet© a todo el personal sanitario que quiera determinar si un paciente presenta malnutrición o no. La aplicación de valoración nutricional e-Nutrimet© no sustituye al personal sanitario en ningún caso, pero podría ser de gran ayuda a la hora de valorar pacientes que pudieran estar en riesgo de malnutrición, ahorrando tiempo en estas valoraciones (AU)

Nonintubated bilateral single port thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the context of an outpatient program, the least invasive management for hyperhidrosis surgery.

Primary hyperhidrosis is a frequent dysfunctional disorder characterized by excessive sweating in amounts greater than required for physiological needs. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment when there is no response to medical therapies. Traditionally, thoracoscopic sympathectomy is performed routinely by means of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Here we report the least invasive management for hyperhidrosis surgery, a nonintubated bilateral single port thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the context of an outpatient program.

Timolipoma gigante: presentación de un caso de tumor mediastínico inusual / Giant Thymolipoma: Case Report of an Unusual Mediastinal Tumor

El timolipoma es una neoplasia benigna infrecuente del timo, formada por tejido tímico y tejido adiposo maduro. El diagnóstico de timolipoma debe considerarse en presencia de una masa mediastínica con densidad de tejido adiposo, sobre todo si está entremezclada con bandas de atenuación de tejido blando en las imágenes de tomografía computarizada. Sin embargo, a veces resulta difícil diferenciar radiológicamente entre un timolipoma y otros tumores adiposos mediastínicos. Presentamos aquí el caso de un paciente con una masa mediastínica enorme que resultó ser un timolipoma (AU)

Thymolipoma is an uncommon benign neoplasm of the thymus composed of mature adipose and thymic tissue. The diagnosis of thymolipoma should be considered in the case of a mediastinal mass with fat density, especially if it is interspersed with strands of soft tissue attenuation on computed tomography scans. However, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate radiologically between a thymolipoma and other mediastinal fatty tumors (AU)

Giant thymolipoma: case report of an unusual mediastinal tumor.

Thymolipoma is an uncommon benign neoplasm of the thymus composed of mature adipose and thymic tissue. The diagnosis of thymolipoma should be considered in the case of a mediastinal mass with fat density, especially if it is interspersed with strands of soft tissue attenuation on computed tomography scans. However, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate radiologically between a thymolipoma and other mediastinal fatty tumors. Here we present a patient with a huge mediastinal mass that proved to be a thymolipoma.

Design and development of a nutritional assessment application for smartphones and tablets with Android OS.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To design and develop a nutritional application for smartphones and tablets with Android operating system for using to in- and outpatients that need a nutritional assessment. To check the validity of the results of such software. METHODS: The application was compiled for version 2.1 of the Android operating system from Google. A cohort of 30 patients was included for evaluating the reliability of the application. The calculations were performed by staff of the Nutrition Unit of the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, manually and through e-Nutrimet software on a smartphone and a tablet. RESULTS: Concordance was absolute between results of different methods obtained using e-Nutrimet on a smartphone and a tablet (Fleiss index κ= 1). The same level of concordance was obtained by comparing handmade and e-Nutrimet made results. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of correlation is good, and it would be extended to all healthcare staff who wants to determine whether a patient has malnutrition, or not. The nutritional assessment software e-Nutrimet does not replace healthcare staff in any case, but could be an important aid in assessing patients who may be in risk of malnutrition, saving time of evaluation.

Introducción y objetivos: Diseñar y desarrollar una aplicación nutricional para smartphones y tablets con Sistema operativo Android® para realizar las valoraciones nutricionales de pacientes ambulatorios y hospitalizados. Verificar y comprobar la validez de los resultados de la aplicación. Métodos: La aplicación se compile para la versión 2.1 del Sistema operativo Android® de Google®. Para evaluar la fiabilidad de la aplicación se incluyeron a 30 pacientes, a los que se le realizó una valoración nutricional. Todos los cálculos fueron efectuados por personal de la Unidad de Nutrición del Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, de forma manual y a través del software e-Nutrimet ©, tanto usando un Smartphone como una tablet. Resultados: Se obtuvo una concordancia absoluta entre los resultados de los diferentes métodos obtenidos utilizando la aplicación e-Nutrimet© en smartphones y en tablets (Fleiss index = 1). El mismo nivel de concordancia se obtuvo comparando el método manual como el automatizado mediante el software e-Nutrimet©. Conclusiones: El grado de correlación es muy bueno, permitiendo extender la valoración nutricional usando e-Nutrimet© a todo el personal sanitario que quiera determinar si un paciente presenta malnutrición o no. La aplicación de valoración nutricional e-Nutrimet© no sustituye al personal sanitario en ningún caso, pero podría ser de gran ayuda a la hora de valorar pacientes que pudieran estar en riesgo de malnutrición, ahorrando tiempo en estas valoraciones.

Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma, an exceptional neoplasm with a poor prognosis: reports of two cases and review of the literature.

Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is a rare type of malignant vascular tumour characterised by proliferation of tumour cells with endothelial features. Up to date, only sixteen cases have been reported in English Literature. Treatment modalities vary from none to surgery, chemotherapeutic regimens, radiotherapy or immunotherapy, but none of them have been shown to be effective. Unfortunately, these tumours are usually very aggressive and overall mortality is very high. We present two cases of patients with a diagnosis of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma, the largest case series ever described, and a review of the scientific literature.

Influencia pronóstica de la pérdida de la expresión del antígeno del grupo sanguíneo A en el carcinoma no microcítico de pulmón en estadio I patológico / Prognostic Influence of Loss of Blood Group A Antigen Expression in Pathologic Stage I Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introducción: En la literatura científica se han publicado resultados contradictorios sobre el valor pronóstico de la pérdida de la expresión del antígeno de grupo sanguíneo A (GSA) en el cáncer de pulmón, por lo que analizamos retrospectivamente este hecho en nuestra serie quirúrgica. Pacientes y métodos. En un estudio multicéntrico de 402 pacientes con carcinoma no microcítico de pulmón (CNMP) en estadio I patológico según la nueva clasificación TNM-2009 se analizó la influencia pronóstica de la pérdida de la expresión del antígeno del GSA en los 209 pacientes con grupos sanguíneos A o AB. Resultados: La supervivencia a los 5 años de los pacientes en estadio I patológico que mantenían la expresión del antígeno del GSA fue del 73%, frente a una supervivencia del 53% en los pacientes que habían perdido la expresión del mismo (p=0,03). Cuando se analizó la supervivencia subdividiendo la muestra en estadios IA y IB, solo se alcanzó la significación estadística en el estadio IA (p=0,038). Al analizar la supervivencia según el tipo histológico, los pacientes con adenocarcinoma que perdían la expresión del antígeno del GSA tenían una menor supervivencia, con una p estadísticamente muy significativa (p=0,003). El análisis multivariable mostró que la edad, el género y la expresión del antígeno del GSA eran factores pronósticos independientes. Conclusiones: La pérdida de la expresión del antígeno del grupo sanguíneo A tiene una influencia pronóstica negativa en el CNMP estadio I patológico, sobre todo en el tipo histológico adenocarcinoma(AU)

Introduction: In the scientific literature, contradictory results has been published on the prognostic value of the loss of expression of blood group antigen A (BAA) in lung cancer. The objective of our study was to analyze this fact in our surgical series. Patients and methods: In a multicenter study, 402 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were included. All were classified as stage-I according to the last 2009-TNM classification. We analyzed the prognostic influence of the loss of expression of BAA in the 209 patients expressing blood group A or AB. Results: The 5-year cumulative survival was 73% for patients expressing BAA vs 53% for patients with loss of expression (P=.03). When patients were grouped into stages IA and IB, statistical significance was only observed in stage I-A (P=.038). When we analyzed the survival according to histologic type, those patients with adenocarcinoma and loss of expression of BAA had a lower survival rate that was statistically very significant (P=.003). The multivariate analysis showed that age, gender and expression of BAA were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The loss of expression of blood group antigen A has a negative prognostic impact in stage I NSCLC, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma(AU)

Prognostic influence of loss of blood group A antigen expression in pathologic stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In the scientific literature, contradictory results has been published on the prognostic value of the loss of expression of blood group antigen A (BAA) in lung cancer. The objective of our study was to analyze this fact in our surgical series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a multicenter study, 402 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were included. All were classified as stage-I according to the last 2009-TNM classification. We analyzed the prognostic influence of the loss of expression of BAA in the 209 patients expressing blood group A or AB. RESULTS: The 5-year cumulative survival was 73% for patients expressing BAA vs 53% for patients with loss of expression (P=.03). When patients were grouped into stages IA and IB, statistical significance was only observed in stage I-A (P=.038). When we analyzed the survival according to histologic type, those patients with adenocarcinoma and loss of expression of BAA had a lower survival rate that was statistically very significant (P=.003). The multivariate analysis showed that age, gender and expression of BAA were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of expression of blood group antigen A has a negative prognostic impact in stage I NSCLC, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma.

Análisis multicéntrico de supervivencia y factores pronósticos en el carcinoma no microcítico de pulmón en estadio I patológico según la nueva clasificación TNM de 2009 / Multicenter Analysis of Survival and Prognostic Factors in Pathologic Stage I Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer According to the New 2009 TNM Classification

Introducción: La nueva clasificación TNM de 2009 ha introducido importantes modificaciones en la estadificacióndel cáncer de pulmón. El objetivo de este trabajo es validar nuestra serie de pacientes concarcinoma no microcítico de pulmón en estadio I patológico según la séptima edición de la clasificaciónTNM de los tumores malignos y analizar los factores relacionados con el pronóstico.Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y multicéntrico. Para el análisis de supervivenciase utilizó el método de Kaplan-Meier y para el análisis multivariable, la regresión de Cox. Se analizaronlas siguientes variables: edad, sexo, estadio patológico, categoría T, tipo histológico, tipo de resección ytamaño tumoral.Resultados: Se incluyó a 402 pacientes con un seguimiento medio de 70,18 meses. La supervivencia globala los 5 años fue del 68%. Los varones y los pacientes mayores de 70 años tenían una menor supervivencia.El pronóstico empeoraba a medida que aumentaba el estadio patológico, la categoría T y el tamañotumoral. No encontramos diferencias pronósticas estadísticamente significativas en relación con el tipohistológico y el tipo de resección practicada. El análisis multivariable mostró que la edad, el sexo y elestadio patológico son factores pronósticos independientes.Conclusiones: Los resultados de supervivencia y el análisis de factores pronósticos de nuestra serie seajustan a los publicados en la nueva clasificación TNM de 2009. El factor pronóstico más importante esel estadio patológico. Otros factores pronósticos desfavorables son el sexo masculino y la edad mayor de70 años (AU)

Introduction: The new 2009 TNM classification introduced important modifications in lung cancer staging. The aim of this study is to validate our series of patients with pathologic stage I non-small-cell lung canceraccording to the 7th edition of the TNM classification of malignant tumors and to the factors related withprognosis.Patients and methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and for multivariate analyses, Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, pathologic stage, T category, histology, type of resection and tumor size. Results: A total of 402 patients were included. Mean follow-up was 70.18 months. Overall 5-year survivalwas 68%. Males and patients over 70 had lower survival. Prognosis worsened with increasing pathologicstage, T category and tumor size. We found no statistically significant differences in prognosis for histologyor type of resection. Multivariate analysis showed age, sex and pathologic stage to be independentprognostic factors.Conclusions: Survival results and the analysis of prognostic factors in our series are similar to those publishedin the new 2009 TNM classification. The most important prognostic factor is pathologic stage. Otheradverse prognostic factors include male sex and age over 70 (AU)

Multicenter analysis of survival and prognostic factors in pathologic stage I non-small-cell lung cancer according to the new 2009 TNM classification.

INTRODUCTION: The new 2009 TNM classification introduced important modifications in lung cancer staging. The aim of this study is to validate our series of patients with pathologic stage I non-small-cell lung cancer according to the 7th edition of the TNM classification of malignant tumors and to the factors related with prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was performed. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and for multivariate analyses, Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, pathologic stage, T category, histology, type of resection and tumor size. RESULTS: A total of 402 patients were included. Mean follow-up was 70.18 months. Overall 5-year survival was 68%. Males and patients over 70 had lower survival. Prognosis worsened with increasing pathologic stage, T category and tumor size. We found no statistically significant differences in prognosis for histology or type of resection. Multivariate analysis showed age, sex and pathologic stage to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Survival results and the analysis of prognostic factors in our series are similar to those published in the new 2009 TNM classification. The most important prognostic factor is pathologic stage. Other adverse prognostic factors include male sex and age over 70.

Guidelines on surgery of the thoracic sympathetic nervous system.

Thoracic sympathetic nervous system (TSNS) surgery has increased in importance in the last few years, generating great expectations among the general population and the scientific community. This has been due to the excellent results obtained by videothoracoscopy-assisted thoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis and other TSNS disorders. This minimally invasive surgical technique has been shown to be effective, and with a low morbidity it is accepted as one of the best therapeutic options for the treatment of palmar and bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis and the number of patients consulting with the intention of having the operation has increased considerably. Although compensatory sweating, which is occasionally intense, often occurs after the surgery, this and other secondary effects of the technique are well tolerated by patients. The current evidence on TSNS and the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis is based on observational studies, making it difficult to compare series and draw conclusions. There has been much discussion on standardising the technique, defining the most favourable levels for clipping, and choosing the type of denervation with least secondary effects. This has led to the need to draw up these guidelines which should clarify and standardise the criteria for managing patients with disorders of TSNS.

Normativa sobre Cirugía del Sistema Nervioso Simpático Torácico / Guidelines on Surgery of the Thoracic Sympathetic Nervous System

La cirugía del sistema nervioso simpático torácico (SNST) ha experimentado un gran auge en los últimos años, generando gran expectación entre la población general y la comunidad científica. Esto se ha debido a los excelentes resultados que ha obtenido la simpatectomía torácica por videotoracoscopia en el tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis esencial y en otros trastornos del SNST.Esta técnica de cirugía mínimamente invasiva ha demostrado ser efectiva y con baja morbilidad, aceptada como una de las mejores opciones terapéuticas para el tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis palmar y axilar bilateral, viéndose incrementado de manera considerable el número de pacientes que consultan con intención de operarse.Aunque la sudoración compensadora, intensa en ocasiones, aparece con gran frecuencia tras la cirugía, éste y otros efectos secundarios de la técnica son bien tolerados por los pacientes.La evidencia actual respecto a la cirugía del SNST y del tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis esencial se basa en estudios observacionales, haciendo difícil comparar series y extraer conclusiones. Se ha discutido mucho para unificar la técnica, definir los niveles de sección más favorables y elegir el tipo de denervación con menos efectos secundarios. Este hecho crea la necesidad de elaborar esta normativa que clarifique y unifique criterios para el manejo de los pacientes con trastornos del SNST(AU)

Thoracic sympathetic nervous system (TSNS) surgery has increased in importance in the last few years, generating great expectations among the general population and the scientific community. This has been due to the excellent results obtained by videothoracoscopy-assisted thoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis and other TSNS disorders.This minimally invasive surgical technique has been shown to be effective, and with a low morbidity it is accepted as one of the best therapeutic options for the treatment of palmar and bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis and the number of patients consulting with the intention of having the operation has increased considerably.Although compensatory sweating, which is occasionally intense, often occurs after the surgery, this and other secondary effects of the technique are well tolerated by patients.The current evidence on TSNS and the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis is based on observational studies, making it difficult to compare series and draw conclusions. There has been much discussion on standardising the technique, defining the most favourable levels for clipping, and choosing the type of denervation with least secondary effects. This has led to the need to draw up these guidelines which should clarify and standardise the criteria for managing patients with disorders of TSNS(AU)