Botulinum toxin treatment for a compensatory hyperhidrosis subsequent to an upper thoracic sympathectomy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Compensatory hyperhidrosis is the commonest complication of sympathectomy, but there's no known effective treatment. METHODS: Botulinum toxin type A (a total dose of 300 MU, 1.0 MU/cm(2)) was used successfully to treat a 68-year-old male with a 5-year history of compensatory hyperhidrosis of the anterior chest following thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. RESULTS: The hyperhidrosis resolved for 8 months without systemic side effects. CONCLUSION: Intracutaneous injection of botulinum toxin is a fast, safe, effective and well-accepted approach for treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis.