http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9641376

: Eur J Surg Suppl. 1998;(580):5-8.  Related Articles, Links  


Thoracoscopic upper thoracic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis--the combined paediatric, adolescents and adult experience.

Cohen Z, Levi I, Pinsk I, Mares AJ.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Soroka Medical Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience, over the past 4 years, of thoracoscopic upper thoracic sympathectomy in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Israel. SUBJECTS: 402 thoracoscopic upper thoracic sympathectomies in 223 patients over a period of 4 years. INTERVENTIONS: Thoracoscopic ablation of ganglia and severing of the sympathetic chain at the level of T2 and T3. 142 patients underwent bilateral simultaneous sympathectomy, 37 had bilateral non-simultaneous sympathectomy and 44 had unilateral sympathectomy. RESULTS: 220 patients (98.7%) had an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged the following day. Three patients with residual pneumothorax required intercostal drainage and were discharged on the third postoperative day. 219 patients (98.2%) were completely satisfied, having immediate and permanent relief of palmar sweating. Four patients were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: The thoracoscopic approach to the upper thoracic sympathectomy is at present the procedure of choice. Early operation for severe palmar hyperhidrosis is indicated to save a child many years of frustration and discomfort.

PMID: 9641376 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

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