Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy: effects on the treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris and quality of life

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the effects of endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy on the treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris(sweaty hands)and quality of life. Methods The clinical data of 62 patients with sweaty hands admitted from June 2010 to May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The 62 patients were randomly divided into two groups: thoracoscopic sympathectomy was performed at T2-3 in the control group, while at T3-4 in the experimental group.The self-reports of quality of life(QOL)before and after the operation were collected as follows: the severity of sweaty hands assessed by hyperhidrosis disease severity scale(HDSS: the higher score the more severe hyperhidrosis), the improvement of QOL assessed by sweaty hands assessment scale(the higher score the more improvement)and surgical efficacy. Results The improvements of HDSS and satisfaction score were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05). The differences between pre- and post-operation in the five dimensions of social interaction, gestation, daily behavior, work and social psychology were better in the experimental group than in the control group(all P<0.05). Conclusions Thoracoscopic sympathectomy at T2-4 and T3-4 is an effective treatment for sweaty hands.But surgery at T3-4 levels, which is associated with a larger improvement in quality of life and fewer complications, is recommended as a priority option for a surgical treatment. Key words: Thoracoscopic surgical procedures; Polyhidrosis of hands & feet; Quality of life; Thoracic sympathectomy