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ENDOSCOPIC THORACIC SYMPATHECTOMY FOR PRIMARY PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS: INTERMEDIATE TERM RESULTS
Author(s) -
Erak S.,
Sieunarine K.,
Goodman M.,
LawrenceBrown M.,
Bell R.,
Chandraratna H.,
Prendergast And F.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1622.1999.01477.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hyperhidrosis , sympathectomy , surgery , complication , pneumothorax , patient satisfaction , hemothorax , thoracoscopy , palmar hyperhidrosis , sympathetic trunk , trunk , cardiothoracic surgery , retrospective cohort study , ecology , biology
Background : The authors’ experience of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of primary palmer hyperhidrosis was examined. Methods : A retrospective study of 71 patients (126 sympathectomies) was undertaken. Data were retrieved by hospital records and telephone interview. Results : Follow‐up was possible for 92 sympathectomies in 53 patients. Overall, satisfactory results were achieved in 93% of patients and complications were uncommon. Compensatory hyperhidrosis was the most common complication, which occurred in 64% of patients; the trunk and feet were the most common sites. Horner’s syndrome occurred in five patients, although in two it was a permanent complication. No patient expressed dissatisfaction with the procedure as a consequence of this complication. Pneumothorax occurred in 17.5% of cases, although the vast majority were incidental findings on a postoperative chest X‐ray, and none required drainage. With the newer techniques of access, patient dissatisfaction with the cosmetic appearance has fallen from 27.3 to 6.4%. Overall 90% of patients said they would have the operation again, which represents a high level of patient satisfaction. Conclusions : Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is a safe and effective technique for primary palmer hyperhidrosis. Evolution of the technique has resulted in improvement in patient satisfaction.