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Surgical Techniques: Cervical Sympathectomy in the Treatment of CRPS/RSD

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Abstract

Skin abnormalities, such as discoloration, edema, temperature alterations and abnormal sweating, have led many to conclude that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. These previous clinical observations led to the concept that disrupting sympathetic innervation to an affected extremity, by chemical blockade or surgical disruption of the sympathetic chain, could improve symptoms. However, recent evidence has raised questions about the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system in CRPS/RSD, and clinical results from disruption of sympathetic innervation in patients with CRPS/RSD have remained inconsistent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Blake 1570, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Dean M. Donahue MD

Authors
  1. Dean M. Donahue MD
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Correspondence to Dean M. Donahue MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of Vascular Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa General Circle, STC 7016 2, Tampa, 33606, Florida, USA

    Karl A. Illig

  2. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Queeny Tower Campus Box, St. Louis, 63110, Missouri, USA

    Robert W. Thompson

  3. , Department of Surgery, John Hopkins Medical Institutions, Rutland Avenue - Ross 759 729, Baltimore, 21205, Maryland, USA

    Julie Ann Freischlag

  4. , Department of Thoracic Surgery, Blake 15, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit Street 55, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Dean M. Donahue

  5. Neurological Associates of West LA, Wilshire Blvd, Suite 790 2811, Santa Monica, 90403, California, USA

    Sheldon E. Jordan

  6. , Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, UCSF/SFSU, Balmoral Street 2429, Union City, 94587, California, USA

    Peter I. Edgelow

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

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Donahue, D.M. (2013). Surgical Techniques: Cervical Sympathectomy in the Treatment of CRPS/RSD. In: Illig, K., Thompson, R., Freischlag, J., Donahue, D., Jordan, S., Edgelow, P. (eds) Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4365-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4366-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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