http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15549634

1: Surg Endosc. 2004 Nov 18; [Epub ahead of print] Related Articles, Links  

  
Results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis with respect to compensatory hyperhidrosis and dry hands.

Wilson MJ, Magee TR, Galland RB, Dehn TC.

Department of General Surgery, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, RG1 5AN, Reading, Berkshire, United Kindgom.

BACKGROUND. We examined the results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis with respect to operative method, symptom control, patient satisfaction and complications.METHODS. We performed a retrospective review of patient records with mail and telephone questionnaire follow-up of 55 patients (15 men) with a median age of 26 years (range, 15-52) who underwent TS between February 1994 and December 2001.RESULTS. There were no differences in complication rates between those having bilateral TS ( n = 23) and those having unilateral procedures ( n = 20) with a median follow-up of 21 months (range, 2-94). Forty-three patients returned questionnaires (response rate, 78%). Forty patients (93%) were satisfied with the results. Thirty-four patients (79%) noted compensatory hyperhidrosis and 22 (51%) excessively dry hands.CONCLUSION. Despite high rates of compensatory sweating, the majority of patients are very satisfied with the results. The high rate of excessively dry hands is a previously unreported finding and important to discuss when obtaining consent.

PMID: 15549634 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] 

T. C. B. Dehn
Email: thomas.dehn@rbbh-tr.nhs.uk
Phone: 0118 9878623
Fax: 0118 9877881