Etymed
sympathectomy
Definition
Surgical removal of part of the sympathetic nervous system
Clinical context
A 25-year-old man presents with severe, unilateral hand sweating and flushing after a motor vehicle accident. Physical examination reveals Horner's syndrome on the affected side. The patient undergoes a thoracoscopic sympathectomy for severe hyperhidrosis. Postoperatively, he experiences compensatory sweating on his torso and back.
Mnemonic
SYMPATHETOMY = S YMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM reMOVAL (Surgical removal of part of the sympathetic nervous system)