Robotic ramicotomy for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis

Multimed Man Cardiothorac Surg. 2026 Mar 4;2026. doi: 10.1510/mmcts.2025.150.

ABSTRACT

Ramicotomy is a surgical approach that focuses on dividing the rami communicantes of the sympathetic chain and has been introduced as a treatment for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis with the goal of reducing the incidence of compensatory sweating. Evidence from recent randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses suggests that this technique effectively reduces localized excessive sweating while resulting in lower rates of compensatory hyperhidrosis and less postoperative hand dryness compared with traditional sympathetic chain interruption. Despite these advantages, ramicotomy has been linked to a greater likelihood of symptom recurrence, underscoring the importance of thorough patient selection and detailed preoperative counseling about potential long-term outcomes. Overall quality of life improvements and patient satisfaction appear similar between ramicotomy and conventional sympathicotomy, although ramicotomy may provide benefits in decreasing the severity or extent of compensatory sweating. In cases of axillary hyperhidrosis, combining ramicotomy with endoscopic sympathetic blockade does not seem to significantly change patient satisfaction or overall rates of compensatory sweating compared with blockade alone, though it may influence the pattern or distribution of compensatory symptoms. In summary, ramicotomy is a reasonable surgical option for carefully selected patients who prioritize a lower risk of compensatory hyperhidrosis, accepting the trade-off of a potentially higher recurrence rate.

PMID:41778845 | DOI:10.1510/mmcts.2025.150

A multi-center, cross-sectional questionnaire survey in Japan (KOBE study) exploring factors associated with primary focal hyperhidrosis

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Feb 9;13:1739715. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1739715. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) is defined as a condition characterized by excessive sweating in localized areas, which causes patients to experience difficulties in daily life, regardless of temperature or psychological stress. Previous surveys in Japan have revealed that the majority of patients with PFH may not visit medical institutions. Identifying the factors potentially associated with PFH is useful for detecting unmedicated patients and providing appropriate medical interventions. In this study, we explored factors associated with PFH in a multi-center, cross-sectional questionnaire survey (KOBE study).

METHODS: This study enrolled patients aged 5-64 years who visited 1 of the 24 dermatological institutions in Japan between April and July 2024 and completed a questionnaire (registered at the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: jRCT1050250083). A combination of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed to explore the associated factors.

RESULTS: A total of 3,617 participants were included in the analysis. The prevalence of PFH was 15.0% (544 of 3,617 participants). Among the potential associated factors, the odds ratios (ORs) were higher in order of axillary osmidrosis (OR = 5.440), psoriasis (OR = 1.830), wet earwax (OR = 1.780), a definite Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) score (OR = 1.780), a doubtful HADS-A score (OR = 1.460), and smoking (OR = 1.450). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that a HADS-A score of 6 was the optimal cutoff value for suspecting PFH.

CONCLUSION: These findings may aid in detecting unmedicated potential patients in routine clinical practice and promoting active intervention for the disease, ultimately improving the quality of life and well-being of patients with PFH.

PMID:41737399 | PMC:PMC12927475 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2026.1739715

Early onset, genital, and axillary involvement are strongly associated with impaired quality of life in hyperhidrosis patients

Medicine (Baltimore). 2026 Feb 20;105(8):e47698. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000047698.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is a chronic condition marked by excessive sweating that significantly affects patients’ quality of life (QoL). However, this issue is both underrecognized and undertreated, and its physical, emotional, and social burdens are often underestimated, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted across Saudi Arabia between May 2024 and April 2025. Participants were recruited through dermatology clinics and a Telegram support group. They completed an online self-administered Arabic questionnaire regarding demographics, medical history, the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, and the Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index. A total of 276 Arabic-speaking adults with hyperhidrosis participated. The mean age was 27.3 years (SD ± 8.2), and 57.6% of the respondents were male. Most participants (82.9%) had severe hyperhidrosis (Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale grades 3-4). The mean HidroQoL scores were 10.3 out of 14 for daily life and 16.6 out of 22 for psychosocial life, indicating moderate to severe burden. Disease severity showed the strongest association with QoL impairment (P = .001). Other factors significantly associated with daily functioning included lower education level, lower income, and sweating in the axillae and genital region, while genital involvement and low education were associated with psychosocial distress. Hyperhidrosis imposed a substantial QoL burden, especially in patients with severe symptoms and lower socioeconomic status. The findings supported the need for early detection and tailored treatment strategies and the use of culturally validated patient-reported outcome measures like the Arabic HidroQoL in clinical practice.

PMID:41731822 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000047698

Hyperhidrosis: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Stepwise Treatment

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2026 May 1;(Forthcoming):arztebl.m2025.0229. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0229. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis, or sweating beyond the physiological amount, can be either focal or generalized and sometimes runs in families. The prevalence of primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis is 2-5%. Secondary hyperhidrosis is associated with specific illnesses and medications. In this article, we discuss the diagnostic evaluation of hyperhidrosis and treatments for it, along with their efficacy and side effects.

METHODS: This narrative review is based on publications retrieved from the Medline and Cochrane databases with the search term “hyperhidrosis” and other specific terms relating to treatment. Expert recommendations and guidelines were considered as well.

RESULTS: The diagnostic evaluation consists of a clinical history, a Minor (starch-iodine) test, gravimetry, and dynamic sudometry. There have been no more than a few high-quality published studies on specific interventions. Depending on the severity and symptom burden, aluminum chloride and anticholinergic drugs are used first, followed by botulinum toxin injections and subcutaneous curettage for axillary hyperhidrosis. These treatments reportedly bring about marked improvement in 60-70 % of patients; their side effects, depending on the particular treatment used, include local reactions such as itch, pain, and cutaneous irritation and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, mydriasis, urinary retention, and headache. Further therapeutic options are tap water iontophoresis; radiofrequency, focused ultrasound, and microwave treatment; systemically administered anticholinergic drugs; and thoracic or lumbar sympathectomy for palmar or plantar hyperhidrosis, respectively.

CONCLUSION: A variety of methods can be used to relieve hyperhidrosis and improve these patients’ quality of life. There have been no more than a few high-quality studies on their efficacy and long-term results.

PMID:41572865 | DOI:10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0229

Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis:A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Efficacy and Safety in Chinese Patients

Aesthet Surg J. 2026 Jan 19:sjaf260. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaf260. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) have not been explored in the Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate efficacy and safety of 1 intradermal BoNTA injection in Chinese PAH cases.

METHODS: This was a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized to an experimental group or the control group at a ratio of 3:1 and received either BoNTA or a placebo once. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who experienced an over 50% reduction in axillary sweat weight at Week 4 posttreatment compared to baseline. The key secondary efficacy endpoints were the percentage changes in axillary sweat weight at Weeks 1, 4, 8, and 16 posttreatment.

RESULTS: A total of 344 patients were randomized to the experimental group (n = 258) or the control group (n = 86). The proportions of patients who experienced an over 50% reduction in axillary sweat weight at Week 4 posttreatment were 83.72% (216/258) in the experimental group and 55.81% (48/86) in the control group, respectively. The between-group difference was 27.91% (P < .001). BoNTA treatment yielded a significant reduction in axillary sweat weight, hyperhidrotic area, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) scores, and grade of bromhidrosis. The patients in the experimental group reported significantly higher satisfaction scores than those in the control group. BoNTA treatment was well tolerated. Neither group experienced suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions, or adverse events or adverse drug reactions leading to withdrawal or death.

CONCLUSIONS: One intradermal 50-U BoNTA treatment led to a significant reduction in axillary sweat weight, axillary hyperhidrotic area, HDSS scores, and axillary bromhidrosis grades in Chinese PAH patients. The therapeutic effect was maintained for 16 weeks posttreatment, with a favorable safety profile.

PMID:41553927 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjaf260

A predictive model for postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis in primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a retrospective cohort study

J Thorac Dis. 2025 Dec 31;17(12):11253-11261. doi: 10.21037/jtd-2025-1562. Epub 2025 Dec 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While sympathectomy remains the optimal surgical intervention for severe primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH), compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) has emerged as the most significant factor contributing to postoperative patient regret. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors and develop a predictive model for moderate-to-severe compensatory hyperhidrosis (msCH) in patients with PPH.

METHODS: A total of 1,013 patients were retrieved from the institutional database between 2014 and 2024. Logistic regression modeling was utilized to identify risk factors for msCH. A nomogram for predicting msCH was developed accordingly.

RESULTS: Of the initial cohort, there were 903 patients included in the final analysis, among whom 182 (20.2%) developed msCH. The following factors were identified as independent risk factors for msCH: age >25 years [odds ratio (OR) 3.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.23-4.95, P<0.01], smoking history (OR 6.46, 95% CI: 4.37-9.54, P<0.01), higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10-2.56, P=0.02), palmar-axillary hyperhidrosis (OR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.57-3.57, P<0.01), and T3 sympathectomy (OR 3.14, 95% CI: 2.03-4.85, P<0.01). A predictive nomogram for msCH was developed based on these factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.839, indicating good predictive performance.

CONCLUSIONS: Age >25 years, smoking history, higher BMI, palmar-axillary hyperhidrosis, and T3 sympathectomy were independent risk factors for msCH. Based on these factors, a predictive model for msCH was developed and showed high predictive accuracy.

PMID:41522169 | PMC:PMC12780405 | DOI:10.21037/jtd-2025-1562

Beyond the Axilla: The Evolving Role of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Facial, Scalp, and Focal Hyperhidrosis

Clin Dermatol. 2025 Dec 27:S0738-081X(25)00336-0. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2025.12.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) is an established treatment for focal hyperhidrosis of the axillae and palms, but its use has recently expanded to include craniofacial, facial, and scalp hyperhidrosis. This systematic review with narrative synthesis evaluates the clinical use of BoNTA for focal hyperhidrosis across multiple anatomical sites. A structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus was conducted for English-language human studies published between 2000 and 2025. Original clinical studies reporting outcomes related to sweat reduction, disease severity, quality of life, duration of effect, or adverse events were included, while reviews and non-original publications were used only for background and citation tracking. A total of 33 original clinical studies met inclusion criteria. Evidence was strongest for axillary hyperhidrosis, where randomized controlled trials consistently demonstrated substantial reductions in sweating and sustained patient-reported benefit. Palmar hyperhidrosis showed reliable efficacy, although treatment was limited by injection discomfort and transient weakness. Evidence for craniofacial, facial, and scalp hyperhidrosis consisted primarily of small cohorts and case series, which nevertheless reported meaningful symptom improvement and acceptable safety profiles despite heterogeneity in dosing and injection techniques. Overall, BoNTA remains a cornerstone therapy for focal hyperhidrosis, and while evidence beyond the axillae is less robust, available data support its use in selected patients and underscore the need for larger, standardized studies in craniofacial and scalp hyperhidrosis.

PMID:41461243 | DOI:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2025.12.003