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sympathectomy Definition

sym·pa·thec·tomy (sim′pə t̸hektə mē)

noun pl. -·mies

the interruption by surgical means of part of the sympathetic nervous system

Etymology: < sympathetic + -ectomy

sympathectomy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • call: Occasionally, your specialist may feel an operation, called a sympathectomy, may be of benefit.
  • have: Comments My boyfriend had a sympathectomy 5 years ago when he was 30 after trauma right below his right collarbone.

Adjective modifier

  • transthoracic: This selective destruction of certain parts of the sympathetic chain is called Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathectomy or ETS.
  • endoscopic: This selective destruction of certain parts of the sympathetic chain is called Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathectomy or ETS.
  • lumbar: I am now booked in for a lumbar sympathectomy in March.
  • digital: Finally a digital sympathectomy strips nerves from blood vessels in the fingers.
  • cervical: Cervical sympathectomy for upper limb disease has been shown to offer little benefit.

Noun used with modifier

chemical: Improving blood flow to the peripheral limbs with a surgical vascular graft or a chemical sympathectomy.