Death

There have been at least 14 deaths worldwide from ETS surgery. These are due mainly to internal bleeding. There is always a risk of death or brain damage from anesthesia, as with any major surgery.

Pnemothorax/Collapsed Lung

Each lung must be collapsed during ETS. Pneumothorax occurs when air gets in between the inside of the chest wall and the lung, preventing one or both lungs from re-expanding normally.

Conversion to Open Thoracotomy

If something goes wrong, such as bleeding, it may be impossible to correct the situation with the endoscopic instruments being used. This would then require an Open Thoracotomy, which is opening the chest cavity by cutting an incision on the side, and spreading the ribs.

Horner's Syndrome

If a T1 sympathetic ganglion is inadvertantly damaged, Horner's Syndrome may result. Horner's is a droopy eyelid, along with a constricted pupil and a dry, red eyeball. It can occur on one or both sides. Though often mentioned as a possible side effect of ETS, we feel it more properly belongs here in the list of complications.

Sexual Dysfunction

Ejaculation is controlled by the sympathetic nerves, from ganglia much further down the chain than is normally affected in ETS. However, there are many reports of problems with retrograde ejaculation (where semen goes backwards up toward the bladder). A high percentage of ETS patients, male and female, also report of loss of libido. We believe these sexual disabilities could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Compensatory hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system overpowers the parasympathetic system in the sex organs. Parasympathetic activity is crucial in erections (male) and lubrication (female)
• The sympathetic chain was damaged far lower than intended
• Anatomical variations between individuls cause certain people to regulate sexual function from much higher up the sympathetic chain.
• The loss of sex-drive could is related to the overall fatigue, the blood-pressure problems, and the heart problems documented as side effects.

Pleural Adhesion

The pleura, or chest wall lining must be penetrated in any sympathetic surgery. Sometimes the re-inflated lung will stick to the wound in the pleura, a painful and dangerous condition.