Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy: A Standardized Approach to Therapy for Hyperhidrosis (original) (raw)
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Serbian Journal of Dermatology and Venerology, 2010
Primary hyperhidrosis affects approximately 3% of the world's population, particularly young female adults. It is defined as excessive, profuse sweating of the palms, soles, armpits and face. Conservative treament includes diverse modalities, however, surgical treatment has shown the best long-term results. The objective of this study was to assess some disease-specific epidemiological characteristics in a pre-selected group of patients seeking surgical therapy, as well as outcomes of thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The severity and impact of hypehidrosis was assessed, using Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS: patients rate the serverity of symptoms on a scale from 1 to 4). Thoracoscopic sympathectomy was performed using a double lumen endotracheal tube, via bilateral 5 mm dual port videothoracoscopic camera 0°, and an endoscopic ultrasound activated harmonic scalpel. The sympathetic chain was resected on both sides at the level of the second and the third thoracic ganglion (T2 and T3), using an ultrasound knife. The extirpated chain was also at the level T3-T4 and sent for ex tempore analysis. There were 162 patients undergoing thoracoscopic sympathectomy: 39.51% were males and 60.49% females; at presentation their mean age (± SD) was 30.5 (±8.3), range 16 -58 years. Axillary hyperhidrosis occurs later than palmar-axillary-plantar (p<0.05). A total of 35.18% of the evaluated patients were able to name at least one member of their families who also suffered from hyperhidrosis. The most commonly affected area was palmar-axillary-plantar (30.25%). Fifty patients (30.86%) received conservative therapy before surgery. The most commonly used conservative therapy modalities included different kinds of ointments/tinctures (11.73%), botox (8.02%) and iontophoresis (2.47%). Prior to surgery, 91.36% of patients reported severe sweating (HDSS score 3 or 4). The highest mean score was given for a combination of facial-palmar-axillaryplantar hyperhidrosis (3.80±0.24). All surgeries were successfully performed, with no complications, or perioperative morbidity. The mean hospital stay was 1.28±0.68 days long. After surgery, 93.21% of patients reported mild or moderate hyperhidrosis (HDSS score 1 or 2). Compensatory sweating (lower part of the back, and abdomen) was reported by 34.57% of patients after the surgery. All patients had a 6-months long follow-up: a significant improvement in quality of life was reported by 84.56% of patients (Yates corrected c 2 (1) = 228.42; p=0.0000)); due to compensatory sweating, only 4.94% and 1.85% of patients reported bad and very bad quality of life, respectively. In conclusion, nowadays videothoracoscopic sympathectomy is a standard treatment for primary hyperhidrosis with a high success rate.
Minimally invasive surgical approaches to thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis
Mini-invasive Surgery , 2020
Thoracic sympathectomy is used for the palliation of hyperhidrosis. However, significant controversies surround the optimal surgical approach and the extent of sympathectomy. The determinants of success in the surgical palliation of hyperhidrosis are the postoperative rate of anhidrosis, recurrence of symptoms, and rate of compensatory hyperhidrosis. This paper attempts to shed light on the controversies by examining the historic background, clearly defining the anatomic considerations, and outlining the various surgical approaches culminating with robotic selective dorsal thoracic sympathectomy.
Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis
OAlib, 2020
The aim of the study: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis. Methods: We identified all patients who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy between January 2017 and May 2020, in Sana'a (capital of YEMEN) hospitals. Details of pre-operative symptoms, surgical procedure and post-operative complications were collected from the patient's files, and each patient was sent a questionnaire regarding success of the procedure, and compensatory sweating through their phone number by what Sapp. Results: We had 36 patients complaining of hyperhidrosis: 27 cases were males and 9 cases were females, age range 14-32 years at the time of surgery. All of them suffered from hyperhidrosis in the palm and sole, 15 cases of them suffered from hyperhidrosis in axilla, and 10 cases of patients were associated with facial blushing. All cases improved from sweat in the palm (100%), and most of them improved from the sweat of sole (94.6%). Conclusion: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is effective in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. However, compensatory hyperhidrosis seems unavoidable complication and infrequently improves with time, so patients should be clearly informed before committing to surgery.
Long-Term Results of Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2004
Background. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is now the reference treatment for severe palmar hyperhidrosis, but this is offset by the occurrence of compensatory sweating. It has been studied in this series to improve the indications and information given to patients.
Stratified Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in Thoracoscopic Sympathicotomy for Hyperhidrosis
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2008
Background. The primary goal of this study is to identify clinical variables associated with successful surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis and facial blushing. Methods. Six hundred eight thoracoscopic sympathicotomies were performed in 304 patients. Retrospective stratified analysis of patients after thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for hyperhidrosis or facial blushing and having completed follow-up of at least 6 months (n ؍ 232) was performed. Preoperative and postoperative qualityof-life indices (range, 0 to 3) were used to measure impact of surgery, and comparisons were indexed to preoperative symptoms. Postoperative compensatory sweating was analyzed with respect to the level(s) of sympathetic chain division. Results. Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed at level T2 alone in 5% of patients; levels T2 to T3 in 63% of patients; levels T3 to T4 in 3% of patients; levels T2 to T4 in 14% of patients; and more than three levels in 14% of patients. In hyperhidrosis patients, mean preoperative quality-of-life index was 2.0 and postoperative quality-of-life index was 0.4 (p < 0.001). Facial blushers had preoperative and postoperative quality-of-life index of 2.6 and 1.0, respectively. Significant compensatory sweating was seen in 33% patients overall and occurred in 29% of patients with palmar symptoms, 26% of axillary patients, and 42% of facial blushers. Significant compensatory sweating in relation to the level(s) of sympathetic chain division occurred in T2 alone, 45%; T2 to T3, 30%; T3 to T4, 14%; T2 to T4, 38%; and more than three levels, 49%. Conclusions. Significant improvement in quality of life can result from surgery for hyperhidrosis. However, the incidence of postoperative compensatory sweating may be dependent on the level of sympathicotomy performed. The choice of sympathicotomy level(s) should be directed toward reducing the incidence of significant compensatory sweating while simultaneously ensuring relief of primary preoperative symptoms.
Archivos de Bronconeumología ((English Edition)), 2006
OBJECTIVE: Thoracic sympatholysis and sympathectomy are the current standard treatments for primary hyperhidrosis. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of peri-and postoperative complications associated with these procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2004, 520 consecutive patients (364 women), with a mean age of 26.8 years, were treated for primary hyperhidrosis at our hospital. The procedure was bilateral in all but 24 cases. The 484 patients in the sympatholysis group underwent a single intervention while the 36 patients in the sympathectomy group underwent 2 separate interventions. RESULTS: No deaths occurred. Anhidrosis of the target area was achieved in 97.6% of patients while 2.2% experienced hypohidrosis. In 0.2% of the cases, the procedure was initially unsuccessful and a second intervention was required. The mean duration of hospital stay was 72 hours for patients in the sympathectomy group and 17 hours for the sympatholysis group. Serious intraoperative complications requiring conversion to thoracotomy were recorded in 0.2% of patients. Postoperative complications-of which pneumothorax was the most common-occurred in 5.2% of the cases (in 22.5% of the sympathectomy group and 3.55% of the sympatholysis group). Compensatory hyperhidrosis occurred in 48.4% of the patients, excessive dryness of the hands and palpebral ptosis in 0.38%, and gustatory sweating in 0.9%. The degree of patient satisfaction was quite high (88.5%) and only 2.3% were very unsatisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Given the results obtained, we can conclude that both sympatholysis and sympathectomy are appropriate treatments for hyperhidrosis. Nonetheless, because sympatholysis is both easier to perform and less aggressive, we consider it the treatment of choice for primary hyperhidrosis.
Demiroğlu Bilim University Florence Nightingale Journal of Medicine, 2019
Severe palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis may adversely affect the patients. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is frequently preferred for the treatment of severe hyperhidrosis. Patient positioning in surgery may cause a number of complications. In this article, we report a male patient who developed hypoesthesia on the palmar side of the first three fingers of the left hand after thoracoscopic bilateral sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. Nerve conduction studies revealed non-significant results. Hypoesthesia was thought to be related to hyper-abduction position of arms. This complication disappeared two months after surgery. Appropriate patient positioning may prevent these complications.
European Journal of Surgery, 2003
Objective: To evaluate of the results of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for upper limb hyperhidrosis with a median observation period of more than 15 years. Design: Retrospective clinical observation study. Setting: University-affiliated tertiary referral centre. Subjects: 630 consecutive operations in 352 patients (median age 30.1 yrs) for primary palmar (68%), axillary (12.7%) and combined hyperhidrosis (19.3%). Interventions: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy from below T1 to T4 including the fibres of Kuntz using electrocautery through single site access. Main outcome measures: Perioperative success and complication rates (all patients); long-term follow-up by a questionnaire and/or clinical examination (83.3% of patients) after a median period of 16 yrs. Calculation of statistical significance of differences between groups with c2-test. Results: 67.8% of patients were fully satisfied, 25.7% were partially satisfied and would again agree to the operation. In 93% the procedure cured hyperhidrosis permanently. Compensatory and gustatory sweating was observed in 67% and 47% of cases, respectively. Overall success was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the group with axillary hyperhidrosis. Main complications: drainage for pneumothorax 1.3%, Horner's syndrome in 3.8%, subcutaneous emphysema 2.1%. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy proved to be highly effective even after long-term follow-up. Compensatory sweating impairs patients' satisfaction in some cases.
F1000Research
Background: Hyperhidrosis is due to the hyperactive autonomic stimulation of the sweat glands in response to stress. Primary hyperhidrosis is a common yet psychologically disabling condition. This study will describe our experience in managing hyperhidrosis via endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). Methods: The information was obtained from the patient records from 1st January 2011 until 31st December 2016. Pertinent information was extracted and keyed into a study proforma. Results: 150 patients were operated on but only 118 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 22.9±7.3 years. The majority (54.2%) had palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis and 39.8% had associated axillary hyperhidrosis. Excision of the sympathetic nerve chain and ganglia were the main surgical technique with the majority (55.9%) at T2-T3 level. Mean ETS procedure time was 46.6±14.29 minutes with no conversion. Surgical complications were minimal and no Horner’s Syndrome reported. Mean hospital stay was...
Thoracic sympathicolysis for primary hyperhidrosis
Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, 2006
Background Bilateral upper thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicolysis, currently the standard treatment for palmar or axillary hyperhidrosis, is regarded as a safe procedure. This study evaluates the quantitative and qualitative incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications resulting from bilateral thoracic sympathicolysis. Methods From 1996 to 2004, 458 consecutive patients with primary hyperhidrosis underwent surgery. These patients comprised 143 men (31.2%) and 315 women (68.7%) with a mean age of 26 years (range, 14–52 years). In all but seven cases, the procedure was bilaterally synchronous. Results No mortality was recorded. The anhydrosis rate was 97.4%, with a hypohidrosis rate of 2.4% and a failure rate of 0.2%. The latter was resolved with reintervention. The mean hospital stay was 17 h. The rate of major perioperative complications with conversion to thoracotomy was 0.4%. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 3.6%. The complications and rates observed were as follows: pneumothorax (2.06%), subcutaneous emphysema (1.08%), pleural bleeding (0.2%), hemothorax (0.1%), and atelectasis (0.1%). Compensatory hyperhidrosis was observed in 48.4% of the patients, but the sensation of compensatory hyperhidrosis was reported in 85.6% of the cases. Excessive dryness of the hands was reported in 0.38%, Horner’s syndrome in 0.32%, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1.1% of the cases. The overall satisfaction rate was 88.5%. Conclusions The results suggest that endoscopic bilateral thoracic sympathicolysis is an effective method for managing primary hyperhidrosis, especially severe palmar hyperhidrosis, but it is necessary to inform patients fully concerning the undesirable effects.