ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis and introduce the clinical experience in the prevention of complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinic data of 588 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent bilateral sympathectomy from January 2003 and March 2007 was analyzed retrospectively. The curative results were compared between the T(2) levels denervation group (group A) and the T(2) levels remained denervation group (group B).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All operations were successfully performed under thoracoscope without severe morbidity and mortality. The curative rate of palmar hyperhidrosis was 99.8%. Accompanied axillary sweating and plantar sweating were improved in 84.0% and 71.0% patients respectively. All the patients were evaluated by a follow-up for 1 to 48 months with an average time of (20.3 +/- 2.3) months on the aspects of curative effect and occurrence of compensatory sweating. During one week after surgery, the transient postoperative hand sweating recurred in 10 cases and then disappeared within 1 to 3 days. Two cases experienced gustatory hyperhidrosis. One case experienced hand sweating at 8 th month postoperative. Side-effect of compensatory sweating were observed in 28.0 percent of group A and 13.4 percent of group B (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective, safe and minimally invasive method for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. The method of T(2) levels remained denervation appears associated with less compensatory sweating.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Follow-Up Studies , Hyperhidrosis , General Surgery , Retrospective Studies , Sympathectomy , Methods , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Despite recent advances in recognition and treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH), the epidemiological survey has hardly been conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of primary PPH among adolescents in three cities of southeast China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stratified-cluster sampling was carried out and cross-sectional epidemiological survey by questionnaire was applied among 33 000 college and high school students.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rate of PPH was 4.36% affecting both sexes equally. Prevalence rate of severe PPH was 0.27%. The average age of onset was 12.27 +/- 2.12 years. The peak age of onset was 6 - 16 years, accounting for 97.2% of PPH population. Positive family history was found in 17.9% PPH cases. Besides palms, axillae and soles can be also affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PPH affects a larger group of individual than previously reported. More measures should be taken to enhance the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PPH.</p>