Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy at the T2 or T3 Level Facilitates Bradykinin-Induced Protein Extravasation in Human Forearm Skin

The endogenous peptide bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator that induces nociceptor activation and sensitization as well as protein extravasation and vasodilation.

Conclusions. Forearm skin perfusion is increased after ETSC on the T2 or T3 level indicating decreased sympathetic activity while BK-induced protein extravasation was increased. These results show that preganglionic sympathectomy does not diminish bradykinin-induced protein extravasation as found for postganglionic sympathectomy in rats.
Stefan Leis, MD,*^† Nicola Meyer, MD, ^† Andreas Bickel, MD, ^† Christoph H. Schick, MD, ^‡§ Sophie Krüger, MD, ^§ Martin Schmelz, MD, ^¶ and Frank Birklein, MD**

Pain Medicine

Published Online: 1 Mar 2010

© 2010 American Academy of Pain Medicine