Lung function tests revealed a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25%–75%) in both groups (FEV1 of –6.3% and FEF25%–75% of –9.1% in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group and FEV1 of –3.5% and FEF25%–75% of –12.3% in the simplified thoracic sympathectomy group). DLCO and heart rate at rest and maximal values after exercise were also significantly reduced in both groups (DLCO of –4.2%, DLCO corrected by alveolar volume of –6.1%, resting heart rate of –11.8 beats/min, and maximal heart rate of –9.5 beats/min in the conventional thoracic sympathectomy group and DLCO of –3.9%, DLCO corrected by alveolar volume of –5.2%, resting heart rate of –10.7 beats/min, and maximal heart rate of –17.6 beats/min in the simplified thoracic sympathectomy group). Airway resistance increased significantly in the group of patients undergoing conventional thoracic sympathectomy (+13%).
No significant differences were found between the conventional and simplified thoracic sympathectomy groups.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;139:405-410