Abstract
BackgroundPrimary hyperhidrosis (P.H.H.) is characterized by excessive sweating in certain parts of body. It’s estimated prevalence is 0%-6.1% in different populations. In Asian population its prevalence is around 3%. In 57% of cases, there is a positive family history.ObjectivesTo evaluate and compare the early and late satisfaction, outcomes and complications of thoracoscopic sympathectomy and sympathicotomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis.Materials and MethodsFrom April 2007 to January 2011, we prospectively treated 60 primary hyperhidrosis patients via thoracoscopic surgery. The first 30 patients underwent sympathectomy and the next 30 patients underwent sympathicotomy. We evaluated early and late satisfactions, outcomes and complications on the first visit (5-8days) following surgery and 12 months after surgery, for all patients.ResultsThe mean operative time was 66.3 minutes in sympathicotomy group and 110.8 minutes in sympathectomy group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall early and late satisfaction, gustatory sweating, pompholyx and post-operative pain. There was comparatively less early and late compensatory sweating (C.S.), and other adverse influences of C.S. in the sympathicotomy group.ConclusionsBecause of shorter operative time, less C.S. and less adverse influence of C.S., sympathicotomy seems a better treatment for primary hyperhidrosis, compared with sympathectomy.
Highlights
Primary hyperhidrosis (P.H.H.) is characterized by excessive sweating in certain parts of body
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: We evaluate and compare the early and late satisfaction, outcomes and complications of thoracoscopic sympathectomy and sympathicotomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis
Some articles have reported that the degree of satisfaction after surgery decreases with time and type of hyperhidrosis, while there is controversy about the role of limiting sympathectomy on the degree of satisfaction (6, 10-12)
Summary
Primary hyperhidrosis (P.H.H.) is characterized by excessive sweating in certain parts of body. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the early and late satisfaction, outcomes and complications of thoracoscopic sympathectomy and sympathicotomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall early and late satisfaction, gustatory sweating, pompholyx and post-operative pain. There was comparatively less early and late compensatory sweating (C.S.), and other adverse influences of C.S. in the sympathicotomy group. Conclusions: Because of shorter operative time, less C.S. and less adverse influence of C.S., sympathicotomy seems a better treatment for primary hyperhidrosis, compared with sympathectomy. Hyperhidrosis is most prominent in palms, axillae, feet and face It affects patient’s work, education and other social relationships. Surgical therapy is effective and gives better satisfaction It is based on interruption of sympathetic impulses transmission from ganglia to eccrine sweat glands. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy was first described in 1942 by Hughs; and since the 1980s, it has Thoracoscopic Sympathicotomy vs Sympathectomy been recognized as the preferred method of the treatment for primary hyperhidrosis (3)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
