Sympathicotomy in patients with drug resistant Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a disorder of the microvasculature which causes poor blood flow to the digits. This disorder is common in young females and may be associated with several underlying connective tissue diseases including systemic sclerosis. Although RP may have a tremendous impact on quality of life, treatment options are limited. Conventional medical treatment mainly consists of vasodilatory drugs, which are not effective in all patients and may induce undesired side effects. The current clinical lesson describes three patients with severe RP who all underwent a novel, minimally invasive, single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy (SPTS). Although this procedure seems promising in patients with treatment-resistant RP, as shown with patients A and B, future research has yet to show what the long-term effects are.