Long Term Outcome of Endoscopically Clipping the Upper Part of R4 Sympathetic Block and R4 Sympathetic Block for the Treatment of Palmar Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Thoracic sympathetic block surgery is a safe and effective procedure for palmar hyperhydrosis, and this maintains sufficient moisture and prevents compensatory hyperhidrosis. To avoid compensatory hyperhidrosis, the authors performed sympathetic block surgery just above the R4 level to maintain sympathetic tone affecting the caudal area. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 71 subjects (45 males and 26 females) were categorized into two groups. Group 1 (31 patients, mean age: 25.5 years) had clips placed both on the upper and lower part of R4 sympathetic ganglion, and group 2 (40 patients, mean age: 25.9 years) underwent clipping of the upper part of R4. Telephone surveys were done to collect data on 8 categories, and the average follow up interval was 24.9 months (group 1) and 18.9 months (group 2). RESULT: For group 1, 41.9% experienced no sweating and 48.4% replied they experienced some sweating depending on the surrounding conditions. Group 2 showed that 60% experienced no sweating and 35% replied they experienced some sweating depending on the surrounding conditions. 58.1% in group 1 experienced sweating right after the surgery, and 40.0% in group 2 experienced the same. Group 1 (38.1%) and group 2 (37.5%) replied they experienced no hand dryness and more patients in group 2 than in group 1 had hand dryness, but without uncomfortable symptoms. 71.0% (group 1) and 62.5% (group 2) replied they had no compensatory hyperhidrosis or related symptoms. One patient in group 1 and two in group 2 reported they regretted undergoing the procedure. The regions of compensatory hyperhidrosis were the back, thigh and chest in group 1 and the group 2 reported the back, chest, and abdomen in the order of frequency. Fewer incidences of the gustatory hyperhidrosis were noted in group 2. Most of the patients were satisfied with their treatment. CONCLUSION: Clipping the upper part of the R4 ganglion or R4 sympathetic block are both effective for treating palmar hyperhidrosis and these treatments decrease the occurrence or symptoms of compensatory hyperhidrosis. The upper R4 sympathetic block procedure is easier and safer with fewer incidences of gustatory hyperhidrosis and a higher percentage of patient satisfaction.

Limited Sympathetic Nervelipping of T2 Sympathetic Chain Block for Essential Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is an effective method in treating localized hyperhidrosis; however, this may result in a postoperatively embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis or facial anhidrosis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. We modified the conventional sympathicotomy by limiting the extent of nerve transection. The purpose of this study was to assess the result of the limited thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve transection in hyperhidrosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May to August 1998, 17 patients underwent limited transection of the sympathetic nerve. For 9 patients with facial hyperhidrosis, we transected only the interganglionic fiber between the first and the second ganglion, whereas the conventional method cuts two interganglionic fibers. Eight patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent limited transection of the interganglionic fiber between the second and third ganglion. RESULT: Sixteen patients had improved symptom postoperatively. There was a recurred facial sweating in 1 patient 1 month after the operation. Among the 9 facial hyperhidrosis patients, postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis was severe in 4, moderate in 4 and minimal in 1. But in 8 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis compensatory hyperhidrosis was moderate in 3, and minimal in 1, none in 4. Facial sweating was not disturbed postoperatively in all of the palmar hyperhidrosis patients. CONCLUSION: Limited sympathetic nerve transection is a practical and less invasive method for the treatment of localized hyperhidrosis and may reduce the incidence of compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis and facial anhidrosis in case of palmar hyperhidrosis.