Gustatory facial sweating subsequent to upper thoracic sympathectomy

MDShanker Nesathurai^a, , MDDavid T. Harvey^b and MDStanley W. Schatz^c

^aDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Canada

^bMcMaster University Clinic, Hamilton Civic Hospitals, Henderson General Division, Canada

^cDepartment of Neurosurgery, McMaster University Clinic-Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Received 3 February 1994;

accepted 8 July 1994

Gustatory facial sweating has been described as a consequence of upper thoracic sympathectomy. Patients may also develop compensatory hyperhidrosis, sensory deficits, nipple hypersensitivity, and Horner's syndrome. In this article, we have reviewed three patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy who developed gustatory facial sweating subsequent to endoscopic T2 and T3 ganglionectomy. This article also discusses the possible mechanisms of gustatory facial sweating.

keyterms: dysesthetic pain, vasomotor instability, hyperhidrosis, denervation supersensitivity.