Mia: The information on the different websites shows great variation in what is disclosed to patients. The full impact of the surgery is never fully explained, but there is indication that some of the surgeons allow more information to appear. The question is: how they narrate this information?! Several of the ETS surgeons list more negative side-effects but they immediately discredit the information as a hearsay, never proven and unscientific. This way they covered the bases without frightening away the patient. Keep in mind, it is an elective surgery.
So far over 70 surgeons (esp. those who are the best known in the field and published the most) have been approached with the request to put a link to this BLOG on their information sheet/website, so that patients are aware of the potential risks associated with sympathectomy and can make an INFORMED decision. So far NONE of the surgeons agreed to do so, even though the material published here is from the medical journals already published.
List of complications from a transcript: Court of Appeals of Texas,San Antonio 2008,
Vaughan v. Nielson
(The highlighted side-effects are rarely disclosed by surgeons)
Possible perforation of breast implants if present
Sensitive Pleurae (chest lining sensitivity) limiting exercise
Horners Syndrome occurrence rate 0.3%
Heat intolerance
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Bleeding
Postop Neuralgia and parasthesias are uncommon
Possible hair loss
Bradycardia (slow heart rate) possibly requiring a pacemaker (SIC!)
Subcutaneous emphysema
Possible conversion to open thoracotomy
Possible recurrence of symptoms
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:WSfz4lbpQ1EJ:lawandmedicine.law.miami.edu/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/vaughan_nielson.doc+%22split+body+syndrome%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=safari