The amount of compensatory sweating depends on the patient, the damage that the white rami communicans incurs, and the amount of cell body reorganization in the spinal cord after surgery.
Other potential complications include inadequate resection of the ganglia, gustatory sweating, pneumothorax, cardiac dysfunction, post-operative pain, and finally Horner’s syndrome secondary to resection of the stellate ganglion.
www.ubcmj.com/pdf/ubcmj_2_1_2010_24-29.pdf

After severing the cervical sympathetic trunk, the cells of the cervical sympathetic ganglion undergo transneuronic degeneration
After severing the sympathetic trunk, the cells of its origin undergo complete disintegration within a year.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0442.1967.tb00255.x/abstract

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Correlating Dermatomal Level to Surface Landmarks

Table 3. Correlating Dermatomal Level to Surface Landmarks
Dermatomal LevelSurface LandmarkComments
C8Little fingerCardioaccelerator fibers blocked (T1 to T4)
T1, T2Inner aspect of the armAbove fibers blocked but to lesser degree
T4Nipple line, root of scapulaCesarean section, Appendectomy, upper abdominal surgery
T7Inferior border of scapula; Tip of xiphoidSplanchnic (T5 to L1) blockage; lower abdominal surgery; T5 to T7 for thoracotomy or fractured ribs (at relevant interspace)
T10UmbilicusUsual level for LE procedures, hip surgery, TURP, vaginal delivery
L2 to L3Anterior thighAppropriate for knee, foot surgery
S1Heel of footPart of sacral plexus, difficult to block
http://www.nysora.com/test2/regional_anesthesia/neuraxial_techniques/3026-epidural-blockade.html