Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42587177›Full record

ArticleSurgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA2026

Revisiting thoracic splanchnic nerve anatomy: implications for thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy and pain management.

Jordan Konstanty, Jessica L Morehouse, Ryan A Moon, Kathryn G Wolfe, Robert J Heins, Erica L Korbel, Jonathan Leo

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Article in Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jordan KonstantyKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0587-871X
Jessica L MorehouseKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA. Jessica.morehouse@kansascity.edu.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4430-990X
Ryan A MoonKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9056-5280
Kathryn G WolfeKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-7965-2539
Robert J HeinsKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-9772-4163
Erica L KorbelKansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-6767-5069
Jonathan LeoDepartment of Anatomy and Pathological Sciences, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9863-302X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe thoracic splanchnic nerves-greater (GSN), lesser (LSN), and least (lSN)-are important targets in thoracic surgery and image-guided interventions, yet detailed quantitative characterization of their anatomy remains limited. This study aimed to define the morphometry, segmental origins, and anatomical variability of these nerves to improve understanding of clinically relevant anatomy.

methodsEighty sets of thoracic splanchnic nerves from 42 formalin-embalmed donors were dissected. Segmental contributions were recorded and classified, and morphometric measurements were obtained relative to the sympathetic trunk, transverse processes, midline, and aorta. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate differences in morphometric parameters by configuration, laterality, and sex.

resultsThe GSN was present in 100% of specimens, the LSN in 93.75%, and the lSN in 28.75%. Substantial variability in segmental origin was observed. The most common GSN configuration was T6-T10 (42.5%), whereas the classically described T5-T9 pattern occurred in only 8.75% of cases. For the LSN, T11-T12 (34.67%) and T11 alone (29.33%) were the most common origins, while only 13.33% conformed to the traditionally described T10-T11 pattern. The lSN most commonly originated from T12 (78.26%). Statistically significant differences in nerve position and dimensions were identified with respect to laterality and sex.

conclusionThoracic splanchnic nerve anatomy is highly variable, and classically described segmental patterns represent a minority of cases. These findings provide clinically relevant morphometric data that may improve localization during thoracoscopic surgery, splanchnic nerve block, and other interventions involving the thoracic sympathetic system while reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury.

Indexed as

Splanchnic NervesAgedAnatomic VariationCadaverDissectionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSympathectomyThoracoscopyAnatomical variationChronic abdominal painSplanchnic nervesSympathetic anatomyThoracoscopic surgery

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.