Degeneration activity: a transient effect following sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.

Abstract

The degeneration activity of effector organs is due to a period of transmitter release from degenerating sympathetic post-ganglionic nerve endings. This is the theoretical explanation for a period of sweating some days following sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis seen in some patients operated on with the thoracoscopic technique in Jönköping, Sweden. The reasons for degeneration activity, well documented in animal experiments, are discussed in this paper.