Evaluation of compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy: The use of an objective method.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of compensatory hyperhidrosis following videothoracic sympathectomy to treat palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and its effect on sweating in the chest, abdomen, back and thighs. Furthermore, to evaluate the concordance between a subjective and an objective method of assessment for compensatory hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Forty patients with combined palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (15 women and 25 men, with a mean age of 25 years) were prospectively followed for 1 year. Subjective and objective parameters were evaluated, using respectively a questionnaire and a sudorometer (Vapometer). RESULTS: In the subjective analysis, in the first month, only 10% of patients did not have compensatory hyperhidrosis, and 70% continued to report it at 1 or more sites after 1 year. In the objective analysis, 35% of the patients did not present compensatory hyperhidrosis after 1 month, and this number persisted stable, with 30% of patients remaining free of compensatory hyperhidrosis after 1 year. The most frequent area affected by compensatory hyperhidrosis was the back in both assessments. There was no positive concordance between the results of the objective and subjective analysis at any time in any of the 4 regions studied. CONCLUSIONS: Compensatory hyperhidrosis is a very common postoperative side effect after videothoracic sympathectomy, occurring early after the procedure and persisting for prolonged periods of time. The most frequently affected body area is the back, and no concordance between objective and subjective assessments was observed.

Heart Rate Variability Assessment and Its Application for Autonomic Function Evaluation in Patients with Hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Pathophysiology mechanism of primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFHH) is controversial. Heart rate variability (HRV) could explain if there is a systemic component present. We aimed to investigate the functions of the autonomic nervous system in patients diagnosed with PFHH compared to controls using the analysis of HRV in the domains of time, frequency, and nonlinearity, as well as analysis of the recurrence plots (RPs). METHODS: We selected 34 patients with PFHH (29.4 ± 10.2 years) and 34 controls (29.2 ± 9.6 years) for HRV analysis. Heart beats were recorded with Polar RS800CX monitor (20 min, at rest, in supine position), and RR intervals were analyzed with Kubios Premium HRV software. RPs were constructed with Visual Recurrence Analysis software. Statistical analysis included unpaired t test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Our results showed that HRV parameters in the 3 domains evaluated did not show any differences between the groups. The same was observed with RPs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that PFHH, from the pathophysiological point of view, may be caused by peripheral involvement of the sympathetic nervous system (glandular level or nerve terminals), as there was no difference between the groups studied. More specific studies should help elucidate this issue.

Sweating Disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews disorders of sweating, including hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis due to central or peripheral autonomic nervous system causes. RECENT FINDINGS: Disorders of thermoregulation and sweating may manifest with hyperhidrosis or hypohidrosis/anhidrosis. Primary disorders of hyperhidrosis may significantly impact quality of life yet tend to be benign. Many sweating disorders present with compensatory hyperhidrosis due to areas of anhidrosis. Anhidrosis may occur due to either central or peripheral damage to the autonomic nervous system. The thermoregulatory control of sweating involves central pathways from the hypothalamus to the brainstem and then spinal cord as well as projections to peripheral structures, including the sympathetic chain ganglia, peripheral nerves, and eccrine sweat glands. Disruption at any point of this pathway may lead to impaired sweating. Characterization of sweating dysfunction helps localize different autonomic disorders to guide diagnosis and may allow for evaluation of treatment effect. SUMMARY: Sweating dysfunction manifests in myriad ways, including essential hyperhidrosis, complete anhidrosis with heat intolerance, and compensatory hyperhidrosis due to anhidrosis, and often indicates involvement of underlying central or peripheral autonomic dysfunction.

Analysis of the Results of Videotoracoscopic Sympathectomy in the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis in Patients 40 Years or Older.

BACKGROUND: Several factors that could influence the efficacy and satisfaction of patients after bilateral thoracic sympathectomy (video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy [VATS]) in the treatment of hyperhidrosis (HH) have been studied, but no studies in the literature have specifically analyzed the effectiveness of treatment and variations in the quality of life of patients aged 40 years or older compared with those of young adult patients (19-40 years). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 2,431 HH patients who underwent bilateral VATS and divided the patients into the following groups: a group younger than 40 years old (1,760 patients) and a group 40 years and older (142 patients). Variables included quality of life before surgery, improvement in quality of life after surgery, clinical improvement in sweating, the presence of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH), and general satisfaction at 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: We observed that all surgical patients presented with poor or very poor quality of life before surgery, with similar proportions in both groups. In the postoperative period, we observed improvement in quality of life in more than 90% of the patients, with no significant difference noted between the 2 groups of patients. More than 90% of the patients in this series had great clinical improvement in the main HH site, with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Severe CH occurred in 23.8% of the patients in this series, with no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients 40 years of age or older benefit just as much as younger patients from VATS performed to treat primary HH, presenting excellent significant surgical results.

Radiofrequency in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, via a systematic review, the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) for treatment of primary hyperhidrosis (PH). METHODS: Experimental or observational studies were included where RF treatment (ablation or microneedling) was performed, comparing the periods before and after treatment. RESULTS: Nine studies were considered eligible and included for analysis. In seven of nine studies, patients were subjected to RF only, and in two of nine studies RF was compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS). There was a reduction in the severity of PH in microneedling (three studies, mean difference -1.24, 95% CI -1.44 to -1.03). In a study that performed sympathetic RF ablation there was a greater reduction in PH severity compared to studies that performed microneedling (-2.42, 95% CI -2.55 to -2.29). There was improvement in the quality of life (QoL) after sympathetic RF ablation (two studies, mean difference -15.92, 95% CI -17.61 to -14.24). Regarding the microneedling procedure, there was a lower improvement in QoL, (two studies, -9.0, 95% CI -9.15 to -8.85). One study comparing sympathetic RF ablation with VATS applied the QoL questionnaire, and the VATS showed superior results. One of the two studies comparing compensatory sweating in RF ablation with VATS showed that compensatory hyperhidrosis was higher in VATS; however, the other study did not observe this difference. One study compared the recurrence of symptoms between VATS and RF ablation; symptom recurrence was shown to be higher in RF. CONCLUSIONS: RF is effective for PH treatment, with superior results obtained with sympathetic ablation compared to microneedling.

Impact of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy and Related Complications on Quality of Life According to the Level of Sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive sweating of idiopathic etiology, associated with sympathetic hyperactivity, which greatly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). The definitive treatment for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) is video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy (VATS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with PAH before and after VATS according to the level of sympathectomy performed, as well as the presence of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) and other complications. METHODS: All patients who underwent VATS in our vascular surgery department between January 2011 and December 2016 were included in the analysis. From 120 contact attempts, 88 interviews were carried out. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the intervened thoracic level: high thoracic ganglion (HTG; T2, T2-T3, T2-T3-T4; n = 68) and low thoracic ganglion (LTG; T3, T3-T4, T4; n = 20). The questionnaire evaluated preoperative PAH severity, the presence of CH, preoperative and postoperative QoL, and postoperative satisfaction. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 29 years, and the median follow-up period was 32 months (IQR of 34 months). Most patients had severe or very severe PAH (97.7%) and preoperative QoL was bad or very bad (95.5%). Postoperatively, QoL was significantly improved in all domains evaluated, with no differences observed between the groups. The overall percentage of complications was 11.4%, mostly pneumothorax, but there was a significantly lower incidence of complications in the HTG group (P = 0.029). Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in 85.2% of cases, but it was only considered intolerable in 10.2%. The incidence of CH was 82.4% in the HTG group and 95% in the LTG group, with no statistically significant differences between the groups (P = 0.147). CONCLUSIONS: Palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis severely affects QoL, and video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy was proven to be effective regardless of the target ganglion resected. Although CH was frequent, it was tolerated in most cases.

Botulinum toxin: Pharmacology and injectable administration for the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a dermatological condition defined by excessive sweating beyond thermoregulatory needs with significant effects on patients' quality of life. Hyperhidrosis is categorized as primary or secondary: primary hyperhidrosis is mostly focal and idiopathic, whereas secondary hyperhidrosis is commonly generalized and caused by an underlying medical condition or use of medications. Various surgical and nonsurgical therapies exist for primary hyperhidrosis. Although botulinum toxin is one of the deadliest toxins known, when used in small doses, it is one of the most effective therapies for primary hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin injections are widely used as a second-line primary hyperhidrosis treatment option once topical treatment strategies have failed. This article provides an overview of the commercially available botulinum toxin formulations and their applications in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis.

Current treatment options for craniofacial hyperhidrosis / Opções atuais de tratamento para hiperidrose craniofacial

Abstract Hyperhidrosis (HH) is characterized by sweating exceeding the amount necessary to meet the thermal regulation and physiological needs of the body. Approximately 9.41% of individuals with HH have craniofacial hyperhidrosis (FH). The present study aims to review the most current data in the literature regarding craniofacial hyperhidrosis, including pathophysiology, diagnosis and clinical presentation, treatment options (clinical and surgical), and outcomes. VATS (videothoracoscopy sympathectomy) is considered the gold standard for definitive treatment of axillary or palmar hyperhidrosis. Recently, several studies have shown the usefulness of clinical treatment with oxybutynin hydrochloride, leading to clinical improvement of HH in more than 70% of users. Both clinical and surgical treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis have good results. However, surgical treatment of FH is associated with more complications. Clinical treatment with oxybutynin hydrochloride yields good results and can be the first therapeutic option. When the patient is not satisfied with this treatment and has good clinical conditions, surgical treatment can be used safely.

Resumo A hiperidrose (HH) é caracterizada por transpiração além da quantidade necessária para manter a regulação térmica e as necessidades fisiológicas do corpo. Aproximadamente 9,41% dos indivíduos com HH apresentam hiperidrose craniofacial (FH). Este estudo tem como objetivo revisar os dados mais atuais da literatura sobre FH, incluindo fisiopatologia, diagnóstico e apresentação clínica, opções de tratamento (clínico e cirúrgico) e desfechos. A simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia (VATS) é considerada o padrão-ouro para o tratamento definitivo da hiperidrose axilar ou palmar. Recentemente, vários estudos demonstraram a utilidade do tratamento clínico com cloridrato de oxibutinina, que leva à melhora clínica da HH em mais de 70% dos pacientes. O tratamento clínico e o cirúrgico apresentam bons resultados no tratamento da FH. No entanto, o tratamento cirúrgico da FH apresenta mais complicações. O tratamento clínico com cloridrato de oxibutinina fornece bons resultados e pode ser a primeira opção terapêutica. Quando o paciente não está satisfeito com esse tratamento e mostra boas condições clínicas, o tratamento cirúrgico pode ser usado com segurança.

Effects of Direct Current Administration on Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale in Patients with Axillary Hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Focal hyperhidrosis mostly affects the axillae, hands, feet, and face. For the management, several techniques are used. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of direct current administration on the hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) in patients with axillary hyperhidrosis that have various HDSS scores. DESIGN AND SETTING: Original article, University Hospital. METHODS: Sixty patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were inquired about the HDSS scores and the scores were noted at the onset and at the end of the 10th application. One month after the last session, HDSS scores were also inquired. At the end of 1-month follow-up, the patients whose HDSS scores rose after the 10th session were accepted as nonresponder. For the current delivery, a new iontophoresis application module (Sweat CureR) designed by Dr. Karakoc was used. RESULTS: Direct current application decreased axillary sweat intensity by 70% at both sides, and lowered the HDSS by about 1.5 degree. Major reduction in sweat intensity was in the patients with low HDSS scores (75%). Negative correlation was found between initial HDSS scores and median values of decreased sweat intensity (r = -0.317, p = 0.022). Minimal temporary side effects including skin irritation and one or more vesicle formation were inspected in 29 patients and, the permanent punctual pigmentation was observed only in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Decrease in axillary hyperhidrosis is satisfactory for these patients. Since iontophoresis application has beneficial effect and minimal side effects, it should be recommended to the patients before advanced management or surgical techniques.

Postmenopausal craniofacial hyperhidrosis treated with botulinum toxin type B.

Hyperhidrosis can seriously impair patients' quality of life. Medical history, including heredity and hyperhidrosis during youth, as well as current age and time elapsed since menopause, is important to consider when distinguishing between postmenopausal hyperhidrosis and vasomotor symptoms to enable adequate treatment. This report concerns a subgroup of eight postmenopausal patients participating in a randomized controlled trial regarding botulinum toxin (Btx) type B treatment in craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Even though the sample size is small and the enrolment is not yet completed, the promising data collected hitherto are interesting to present in advance because this subtype of craniofacial hyperhidrosis is often underrecognized and challenging to treat. Patients were randomized to receive Btx type B or placebo. Measurements were performed before treatment and 3 ± 1 weeks after. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was improved for all patients after Btx type B treatment (n = 3) with a median decrease of 9 points (90% median improvement). The placebo group (n = 5) had a median increase of 2 points (-18% median decline). When the same group (n = 5) received Btx type B (open) the DLQI score decreased with a median of 7 points compared with baseline (91% median improvement). Treatment-related adverse events were temporary and did not prevent improvement of life quality. Furthermore, background data evaluation uncovered interesting findings regarding vasomotor symptoms in relation to postmenopausal hyperhidrosis. In conclusion, the results indicated that Btx type B seems to be a safe and effective treatment in postmenopausal craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Further research is encouraged.

The management of compensatory sweating after thoracic sympathectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The main therapeutic method of treatment for local hyperhidrosis is endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Generally, resections of the sympathetic trunk or ganglia are performed between the second rib and sixth rib. However, this procedure can result in compensatory sweating, in which excess sweating occurs on the back, chest, and abdomen. Compensatory sweating has been regarded as a thermoregulatory response and thought to be untreatable. This study suggests that compensatory sweating is not a physiologic reaction and is indeed treatable. METHODS: Eight patients with severe compensatory sweating were treated by observing blood perfusion of the skin with laser speckle flowgraphy, which determines the sympathetic nerves related to the area of skin with compensatory sweating. When intraoperative monitoring with laser speckle flowgraphy indicated the position of compensatory sweating by electrical stimulation of the sympathetic ganglion, ganglionectomy was performed. RESULTS: The skin domain that each sympathetic nerve controls was able to be detected by laser speckle flowgraphy. In all patients, compensatory sweating was resolved after interruption of the ganglia or sympathetic nerves related to compensatory sweating. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that compensatory sweating is caused by denatured sympathetic nerves influenced by endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy and is not the result of a physiological response. With laser speckle flowgraphy, the sympathetic nerve related to the sweating of various parts of the body could be identified. The treatment of compensatory sweating on the back, chest, and stomach was previously considered to be difficult; however, compensatory sweating is demonstrated to be treatable with this technique.

Exploring hyperhidrosis and related thermoregulatory symptoms as a possible clinical identifier for the dysautonomic subtype of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To identify associated (non-)motor profiles of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with hyperhidrosis as a dominant problem. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, analysis of participants enrolled in the Non-motor Longitudinal International Study (NILS; UKCRN No: 10084) at the Parkinson's Centre at King's College Hospital (London, UK). Hyperhidrosis scores (yes/no) on question 28 of the Non-Motor Symptom Questionnaire were used to classify patients with normal sweat function (n = 172) and excessive sweating (n = 56) (Analysis 1; n = 228). NMS scale (NMSS) question 30 scores were used to stratify participants based on hyperhidrosis severity (Analysis 2; n = 352) using an arbitrary severity grading: absent score 0 (n = 267), mild 1-4 (n = 49), moderate 5-8 (n = 17), and severe 9-12 (n = 19). NMS burden, as well as PD sleep scale (PDSS) scores were then analysed along with other correlates. RESULTS: No differences were observed in baseline demographics between groups in either analysis. Patients with hyperhidrosis exhibited significantly higher total NMSS burden compared to those without (p < 0.001). Secondary analyses revealed higher dyskinesia scores, worse quality of life and PDSS scores, and higher anxiety and depression levels in hyperhidrosis patients (p < 0.001). Tertiary analyses revealed higher NMSS item scores for fatigue, sleep initiation, restless legs, urinary urgency, and unexplained pain (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hyperhidrosis appears to be associated with a dysautonomia dominant subtype in PD patients, which is also associated with sleep disorders and a higher rate of dyskinesia (fluctuation-related hyperhidrosis). These data should prompt the concept of hyperhidrosis being used as a simple clinical screening tool to identify PD patients with autonomic symptoms.

Validación española del cuestionario Autonomic Standards Assessment Form en la lesión medular / Spanish validation of the Autonomic Standards Assessment Form in spinal cord injuries

Introducción y objetivos: Las disfunciones del sistema nervioso autónomo (SNA) en pacientes con lesión medular (LM) impactan de forma severa su morbimortalidad. Sin embargo, siguen siendo escasas las iniciativas de investigación destinadas a conocer dicha patología. Por ello, este artículo tiene como objetivos: 1) traducir al español el documento International Standards on documentation of remaining Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI), y 2) describir la influencia de la alteración del SNA en una muestra de pacientes con LM. Material y métodos: Estudio piloto observacional de tipo transversal, en 51 pacientes con LM traumática (> 1 año de evolución). Se recogiero datos sociodemográficos, médicos, ISAFSCI. Resultados: La versión española del ISAFSCI mostró que los sistemas más alterados fueron el control de la sudoración (hiperhidrosis supralesional 33,3%, hiperhidrosis infralesional 17,6%, hipohidrosis infralesional 21,6%) y de la temperatura (hipertermia 76,5%). El 74,5% tenía ausencia completa de control urinario inferior y el 82,4% no tenía control del intestino. La excitación genital fue refleja en el 47,1% de la muestra y el orgasmo y la eyaculación estaban alterados o reducidos en la mayoría de los casos (92,2% y 84,3%, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La versión española del ISAFSCI es una herramienta práctica y de gran utilidad en contextos clínicos para la evaluación de la función del SNA en personas con una LM. Entender el papel del SNA en personas con una LM es crucial para mejorar su estado de salud general y reducir complicaciones secundarias derivadas de la LM, y consecuentemente contribuye a un mejor manejo clínico

Introduction and objectives: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) severely impacts morbidity and mortality. However, research initiatives aiming to gain insight into the direct impact of ANS dysfunction on health outcomes in persons with SCI are still lacking. Thus, this study had 2main objectives: 1) to translate into Spanish the revised edition of the International Standards on documentation of remaining Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI), and 2) to describe the impact of ANS dysfunction in a sample of SCI patients. Material and methods: Cross-sectional observational pilot study in 51 traumatic SCI patients (> 1 year after injury). Demographic, medical and ISAFSCI data were studied. Results: The Spanish version of the ISAFSCI showed that the most altered systems in the sample were sweating control (above-lesion hyperhidrosis in 33.3%; below-lesion hyperhidrosis in 17.6%; below-lesion hypohidrosis in 21.6%) and temperature control (hyperthermia in 76.5%). In addition, 74.5% of the sample had complete loss of control of the lower urinary tract, and 82.4% had no control of the bowel. Finally, genital arousal was reflex in 47.1% and orgasm and ejaculation were reduced or altered in most of the patients (92.2% and 84.3%, respectively). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the ISAFSCI is a useful and practical tool, and can be employed in clinical practice to assess ANS function in patients with SCI. Understanding the role of ANS in persons with SCI is crucial to improve their health status and reduce secondary complications post-SCI, and consequently help to improve the clinical management in these individuals

CT-Guided Chemical Thoracic Sympathectomy versus Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection versus thoracic sympathectomy for idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis were treated with either BTX-A injection or thoracic sympathectomy between March 2013 and April 2016. The severity of palmar hyperhidrosis was qualitatively measured via the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). All patients completed a questionnaire that detailed the time taken for the treatment to work, local or systemic adverse effects, and pre- and post-treatment severity of hyperhidrosis. The efficacy and adverse effects of the two treatments were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Hyperhidrosis-related quality of life improved quickly and significantly in the BTX-A group (26 patients) and the sympathectomy group (25 patients). Compared with pre-treatment, the HDSS score significantly reduced after treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). All patients in the sympathectomy group had cessation of sweating of the hands after treatment, and this curative effect lasted for 12 months. In contrast, the treatment took more time to work in the BTX-A group, and the curative effect lasted for a much shorter period (3 months). The sympathectomy group had a significantly lesser mean HDSS score than the BTX-A group at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after treatment (p < 0.05). The sympathectomy group experienced more complications than the BTX-A group. CONCLUSION: For palmar hyperhidrosis, thoracic sympathectomy is more effective and has a longer lasting curative effect than BTX-A injection, but thoracic sympathectomy has more complications.

Needlescopic Video-Assisted Thoracic Bilateral T4 Sympathicotomy for the Treatment of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis: An Analysis of 200 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is featured by aberrantly perspiration of the hands, which may bring a lot of inconvenience to patient's daily life and work. The purpose of this study is to summarize the clinical effect of needlescopic video-assisted thoracic bilateral T4 sympathicotomy for the treatment of PPH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and March 2014, 200 patients received needlescopic video-assisted thoracic bilateral T4 sympathicotomy. We, respectively, took two 5-mm incisions in the third intercostal space on the anterior axillary line and in the fifth intercostal space on the middle axillary line. After collapsing left lung, needlescopic exploration was the first step to determine the targeted sympathetic chain through the third intercostal space. Electric coagulation hook was inserted from another port to cut T4 sympathetic chain and the bypassing nerve fibers for 2 to 3 cm along the surface of the fourth rib. Right thoracic cavity was also administered the same procedure. The palmar temperature was recorded before and after sympathicotomy. The symptom improvement, operative complications, patients' recovery, and satisfaction were evaluated. FINDING: One hundred and ninety-seven patients uneventfully received two 5-mm port bilateral sympathicotomy, and another 3 patients with extensive pleural adhesions completed the surgery through enlarging the third intercostal incision to 2 cm without conversion to open surgery. All operative procedures were completed in 15 to 35 minutes. The hospital stay was 2 to 4 days. The palmar temperature increased by 2.0 ± 0.5°C, and hyperhidrosis immediately disappeared in both hands after surgery. The efficacy rate was 100%. The postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, hemopneumothorax, bradycardia, or Horner's syndrome had no occurrence. During 6 to 60 months follow-up, mild compensatory sweating of buttock, back, and thigh occurred in 30 patients (15%) at 2 to 5 days after surgery and gradually disappeared at postoperative 15 to 30 days or longer time. All patients were greatly satisfied with the effect with better confidence and quality of life. Until now, no recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis happened. CONCLUSION: Needlescopic video-assisted thoracic bilateral T4 sympathicotomy could reach an excellent and immediate result of treating PPH. It is a safe, convenient, and minimally invasive method appropriate for wide clinical use.

Number of Preoperative Hyperhidrosis Sites Does Not Affect the Sympathectomy Postoperative Results and Compensatory Hyperhidrosis Occurrence.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary hyperhidrosis present with sweating in two or more sites in nearly 85% of cases. In this study, we examined whether the number of hyperhidrosis sites is related to the surgery outcomes. METHODS: One hundred ninety-three hyperhidrosis patients who underwent bilateral videothoracoscopic sympathectomy after failure or dissatisfaction with clinical treatment were distributed into three groups based on the number of hyperhidrosis sites (one site, two sites, and three or more sites of hyperhidrosis). The primary endpoints in the study were as follows: quality of life prior to surgery, improvement of quality of life after surgery, clinical improvement of sweating, presence or absence of compensatory hyperhidrosis, and general satisfaction after 1 month of surgery. RESULTS: Patients with two or more hyperhidrosis sites had worse quality of life before surgery than patients with a single hyperhidrosis site. There was an improvement in the quality of life in more than 95% of the patients, clinical improvement in more than 95% of patients, severe compensatory hyperhidrosis in less than 10%, and low general satisfaction after 1 month of surgery in only 2.60% of the patients, with no differences among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with more than one preoperative hyperhidrosis site present worse quality of life prior to surgery than those with a single hyperhidrosis site, but the number of hyperhidrosis sites before surgery does not affect surgery outcomes.