Clinical Outcomes of Thoracic Sympathicotomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic R3 sympathicotomy can effectively treat palmar hyperhidrosis. Here, we evaluated post-operative outcomes of patients receiving a thoracoscopic R3 sympathicotomy due to palmar hyperhidrosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 2001 to December 2006, 225 patients were treated with a R3 sympathicotomy, and follow up was completed for 200 patients, with an average follow up period of 51.7 (11~80) months. We measured postoperative hand sweating according to four grades; dry (grade 1), proper (grade 2), light sweating (grade 3), heavy sweating (grade 4) and evaluated patient satisfaction using 4 grades very good (grade 0), good (grade1), regular (grade 2), and deficient (grade 3). RESULT: There were no differences in clinical parameters between the compensatory sweating group and the non-compensatory sweating group. There was a 83.5% compensatory sweating rate. The degree of compensatory sweating related to the patient's body mass index and was influenced by the season, environmental temperature, and emotional stress. CONCLUSION: The satisfaction rate was 61.5%, and the degree of satisfaction related to the development of compensatory sweating. Therefore, reducing compensatory sweating would increase patient satisfaction with R3 sympathicotomies.