Cell body reorganization in the spinal cord after surgery to trea sweaty palms and blushing

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

Spinal cord infarction occurring during thoraco-lumbar sympathectomy
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1963;26:418-421 doi:10.1136/jnnp.26.5.418

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

most surgeons do not have a clear understanding of their short-term outcomes for the majority of procedures they perform

The public would probably be surprised to know that most surgeons do not have a clear understanding of their short-term outcomes for the majority of procedures they perform.

Of even greater concern is the lack of data on long-term outcomes associated with surgical interventions.

Many surgeons argue that they are too busy and do not have the time and resources to conduct this sort of follow-up. This is not entirely without foundation, but it does seem difficult to defend a stance that says “I will continue to work feverishly at the operations I do but not assess how successful my results are”.

Guy Maddern (ASERNIP-s): No excuse for poor surgical outcomes

MJA INSIGHT, 8 August 2011

Monday, April 2, 2012

reductions in heart rate variability are a predictor of sudden cardiac death, even in individuals without a prior history of cardiovascular disease

Research indicates that a highly variable heart rate increases your capacity to respond and adapt to life’s challenges.
In a sense, it makes your cardiovascular system more flexible. If you’re less able to switch to the rest system, you’re more likely to feel stressed because your body is indicating that there’s danger in the environment – even if there isn’t.
Research has shown that reductions in heart rate variability are a predictor of sudden cardiac death, even in individuals without a prior history of cardiovascular disease.


http://theconversation.edu.au/depression-can-break-your-heart-literally-1102