Predictors of Compensatory Sweating and Satisfaction Following Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathetic Chain Clipping for Palmar/Axillary Hyperhidrosis

J Clin Med. 2025 Jan 8;14(2):326. doi: 10.3390/jcm14020326.

ABSTRACT

Background: Endoscopic thoracic sympathetic chain clipping (ETSC) is a definitive treatment for primary palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis (PPAH); however, compensatory sweating (CS) remains a feared complication. The aims of this study were to investigate the factors associated with CS and satisfaction with the treatment and to evaluate the post-operative quality of life (QoL). Methods: From January 2011 to August 2023, 180 patients who had undergone two-stage ETSC were prospectively asked to complete pre- and post-operative questionnaires on satisfaction, CS, and QoL in several daily activities. Results: Seventy-nine patients (45.7%) were male, and fifty-two (30.1%) were active smokers, with a mean body max index (BMI) of 22.6 ± 3.14. The majority of the population (112 (62.2%)) was operated on for combined palmar and axillary primary hyperhidrosis (PH), whereas 56 (31.1%) patients had only palmar and 12 (6.7%) only axillar PH. Only 122 (67.8%) patients completed ETSC on both sides and the follow-up in the study period. CS was 50.8% (62 patients), and there was severe CS in 7 cases (5.7%); 9 (7.4%) patients developed a gustatory CS. The final effectiveness of ETSC was 95.9%, with a reported improvement in QoL in 95.3% of cases (mainly in manual work and socialization); 94.1% of patients were satisfied and would undertake ETSC again. At multivariable analysis, only older age (>24 years) was a predictor of CS (p = 0.007) and severe CS (p = 0.042). No predictor for satisfaction was found. Conclusions: ETS by clipping can improve QoL in cases of palmar/axillary hyperhidrosis. Older patients must be informed of a higher risk of CS.

PMID:39860332 | DOI:10.3390/jcm14020326

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis: an over a decade-long follow-up on efficacy, impact, and patient satisfaction

J Thorac Dis. 2024 Dec 31;16(12):8292-8299. doi: 10.21037/jtd-24-1407. Epub 2024 Dec 20.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is a well-known and effective treatment for palmar and axillary primary hyperhidrosis (PHH). Its most frequent drawback and the main complaint among patients who underwent surgery is the appearance of compensatory sweating (CS). To date, no long-term studies using internationally standardized tools have assessed the efficacy and impact of this surgery on patients. In this study we performed a very long-term follow-up of the patients using an internationally validated tool. The aim of this article is to assess the technique as a treatment for hyperhidrosis, focusing on its long-term efficacy, side effects (CS), and patient satisfaction with the procedure.

METHODS: A closed cohort study was performed conducting a review of the clinical records to identify 100 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral endoscopic thoracic surgery with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Patients with diagnoses other than primary palmar or axillary hyperhidrosis or those for whom follow-up was impossible were excluded. A structured telephone survey, including the International Hyperhidrosis Society “Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale” (HDSS) was conducted for all patients. Data were summarized using median (1st and 3rd quartiles) for quantitative variables and relative and absolute frequencies for qualitative variables. To study the likelihood of a patient recommending the surgery, a Bayesian logistic regression model was used reporting results as odds ratio (OR).

RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were included in the follow-up. The median follow-up duration was 10.66 (5.68, 11.98) years. The most affected zone was the hands (29.67%), and the most common sympathectomy levels were R2 and R3 (68.13%). The overall surgical efficacy rate was of 94.50% and CS appeared in 36.26% of the patients, with 75.76% of these cases being mild and severe in only one patient. In total, 97.8% of patients improved their HDSS score after surgery. The OR of recommending the surgery for a lower HDSS index was 0.24 and 0.18 for the apparition of CS. Despite it, 91.21% of patients recommend the surgery, with an overall satisfaction rate of 93.95%.

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is an effective and safe treatment for palmar and axillary PHH, with a relatively low rate of CS which, when present, is typically mild, making it a highly satisfactory treatment option for patients.

PMID:39831229 | PMC:PMC11740069 | DOI:10.21037/jtd-24-1407

Comparative study between fractional laser assisted drug delivery of botulinum toxin versus botulinum toxin injection in primary palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis

Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Jan 13;317(1):241. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03715-5.

ABSTRACT

Palmar hyperhidrosis is common condition that is challenging to treat. Nonsurgical treatments include topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, anticholinergic drugs and botulinum toxin injections. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ablative fractional laser therapy, combined with topically applied botulinum toxin versus its injection for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. This study included 40 patients with pimary hyperhydrosis divided into two groups. Group A (n = 20) diagnosed with primary axillary hyperhidrosis was further subdivided into 2 equal subgroups; for which was used fractional laser assisted drug delivery of botulinum toxin in right axilla and botulinum toxin injection in left axilla. Group B (n = 20) diagnosed with primary palmer hyperhidrosis was further subdivided into 2 equal subgroups; for which was used fractional laser assisted drug delivery of botulinum toxin in right palm and botulinum toxin injection in left palm. There was a statistically significant decrease in the hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) in all subgroups after treatment as compared to before treatment. Following 3 months of treatment, the amount of sweat as detected by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was statistically significantly lower in the injection subgroup in both the axillary group (p = 0.075) and the palmer group (p < 0.001). The use of both botulinum toxin injection and laser assisted botulinum toxin drug delivery were associated with significant improvement in the manifestation, disease severity and quality of life in the cases with both axillary and palmer hyperhidrosis. Fractional CO2 laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) represents a safe, minimally invasive procedure that enhances the delivery of BTX-A.

PMID:39804494 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-024-03715-5

CT-guided radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) of bilateral T3-4 sympathetic chain combined with bilateral L3 sympathetic ganglion in patient with palmar hyperhidrosis

J Surg Case Rep. 2024 Dec 27;2025(1):rjae808. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjae808. eCollection 2025 Jan.

ABSTRACT

Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is a functional disease with an unknown pathogenesis, making it challenging to find a lasting and effective treatment. This article reports a case of a 43-year-old patient with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) of bilateral T3-4 sympathetic chain combined with bilateral L3 sympathetic ganglion. The optimal puncture level and skin entry point were selected, and measurements were taken using a CT tool to determine needle depth, angle, and distance from the midline. A sympathetic needle was inserted through the T4 intercostal space to the outer side of the T4 rib head. The needle position was adjusted to achieve a tissue resistance, confirmed through sensory, motor stimulation, and three-dimensional reconstruction. RFN was performed, and this process was repeated for 1-2 cycles. Subsequently, a similar procedure was performed at the L3 sympathetic ganglion under CT guidance, resulting in improved sweating symptoms in the patient’s hands and feet.

PMID:39735332 | PMC:PMC11670927 | DOI:10.1093/jscr/rjae808

Comparing Compensatory Sweating After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy: (T2-3) Versus (T2-4) Levels for Treating Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Cureus. 2024 Nov 20;16(11):e74077. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74077. eCollection 2024 Nov.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperhidrosis is a disease that is characterized by excessive sweating beyond what is required to maintain the normal temperature of the body. Moreover, it has a great adverse effect on the life of the affected persons because of problems in their social lives. There are different modalities to treat primary hyperhidrosis, including medical and surgical treatment. However, in sympathectomy, there is still a lack of strong evidence regarding which level should be targeted to achieve maximum benefit with fewer complications.

METHODS: This prospective clinical study was conducted at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Alexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, from September 2021 to Jan 2022. The study involved a total of 50 eligible consecutive patients who had bilateral primary palmar hyperhidrosis managed by bilateral, bi-portal, and tubeless thoracoscopic approach with conventional general anesthesia. Group A represents 25 patients with 13 males (52%) who had sympathetic chain cutting at the level of T2-3, and group B represents 25 patients with 15 males (60%) who had sympathetic chain cutting at the level of T2-4. The effect on palmar hyperhidrosis, compensatory hyperhidrosis, and overall patient satisfaction was assessed on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

RESULT: Ninety-eight percent of patients in both groups showed postoperative complete dryness of the hand and improvement of their symptoms. There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) difference regarding the degree of severity of compensatory sweating post-operatively between both groups. In group A, 44% of patients had compensatory sweating, while in group B, 96% of patients had symptoms of compensatory sweating with varying degrees from 1 to 5 on a VAS-Score of five degrees.

CONCLUSION: The level of cauterization has no significant effect on palmar hyperhidrosis dryness after cutting the sympathetic chain at level (T2-3) vs. (T2-4). However, the greater the number of levels that are cauterized, which are three levels rather than two, the more severe the compensatory sweating in this study.

PMID:39712769 | PMC:PMC11661883 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.74077

Hyperocclusive technique for topical anesthesia for injecting botulinum toxin in palmar hyperhidrosis

J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2024 Oct-Dec;17(4):335-336. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_224_22. Epub 2023 Jun 27.

ABSTRACT

Injecting botulinum toxin under simple topical anesthesia using a eutectic mixture of lignocaine and prilocaine is a painful procedure. A simple hyper-occlusive modification in the existing technique of topical anesthesia of palms facilitates painless injections leading to greater patient satisfaction and compliance.

PMID:39649766 | PMC:PMC11619159 | DOI:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_224_22

The effects of sympathectomy ganglion levels on late complications in the treatment of hyperhidrosis

J Minim Access Surg. 2024 Nov 29. doi: 10.4103/jmas.jmas_75_24. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pathologically excessive sweating in areas such as the palmar, axillary and/or plantar together with sympathetic hyperactivity that occurs independently of systemic causes is called primary hyperhidrosis. Although primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis can be seen at any age, the disease is most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults. The frequency of male and female genders is usually equal. Some medical and minimally invasive methods can be used in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. However, the known curative gold standard treatment method for the disease is thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy operation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, a total of 150 patients who applied to Trakya University Health Practice and Research Center, Department of Thoracic Surgery, between 15 October 2008 and 15 June 2021 and underwent thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy due to the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were separated into two groups. Thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy was performed on the T2-T4 in the first group (Group I – n : 88) and on the T3-T5 sympathetic ganglions in the second group (Group II – n : 62).

RESULTS: The median age of patients included in the study was found to be 24 (20.75-28) years. Group I and Group II were similar in terms of gender characteristics, but Group II was older. Our success rate was found to be 92% ( n = 138). There was no mortality, major complication such as bleeding requiring open thoracotomy, chylothorax or Horner’s syndrome in any of the patients. Minor complications were seen in the early and late period of the operation at a low rate. Our overall compensatory hyperhidrosis rate was 52% ( n = 78). Compensatory hyperhidrosis was detected more in Group I, although this was not statistically significant. We determined the overall satisfaction rate of our patients as 87.3% ( n = 133). The satisfaction rates of the patients in Group I and Group II were found to be similar.

CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is a fast, safe and minimally invasive treatment method with a low complication rate. More than 90% success and a significant increase in psychosocial condition and professional quality of life can be achieved with this procedure. Future studies are needed to reveal the relationship between operated ganglion levels and the development of compensatory hyperhidrosis.

PMID:39611563 | DOI:10.4103/jmas.jmas_75_24

Single-port Thoracoscopic Laser Sympathicotomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis: A Safe and Minimally Invasive Approach With Favorable Short-term Outcomes

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2024 Nov 11. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000001340. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is a well-established treatment for severe palmar hyperhidrosis. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel one-stage, bilateral, single-port laser sympathicotomy with minimal dissection.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 73 patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent this novel surgical technique between June 2023 and October 2023. Outcomes included complications, recurrent hyperhidrosis, and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH). Hyperhidrosis severity was assessed using the hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS).

RESULTS: The mean patient age was 21.3 ± 7.7 years, with a female predominance (52.1%). Sympathicotomy was performed at the T3 level only in 46 patients (63%), with the remaining undergoing sympathicotomy at both T3 and T4 levels. Median cauterization and operating times were 78 seconds and 8.7 minutes, respectively. No complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrent hyperhidrosis during a median follow-up of 9 months, both were mild (HDSS grade 1). CH developed in 41 patients (56.2%), with all occurring within the first month postoperatively. The most common sites for CH were the back (51.2%), chest (43.9%), thigh (41.5%), abdomen (36.6%), and lower leg (36.6%). The majority of patients with CH (95.1%) reported mild (HDSS grade 1) or moderate (HDSS grade 2) hyperhidrosis. A higher body mass index was a significant risk factor for CH (odds ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.12-1.71 for every 1 kg/m2 increase).

CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive, single-port thoracoscopic laser sympathicotomy appears to be safe and effective for patients with palmar primary hyperhidrosis. Future studies should investigate long-term outcomes and refine the technique to minimize invasiveness even further.

PMID:39523766 | DOI:10.1097/SLE.0000000000001340

Pharmacologic properties and results of a clinical study of oxybutynin hydrochloride lotion (APOHIDE() Lotion 20%) as a novel treatment for primary palmar hyperhidrosis

Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 2024;159(6):413-422. doi: 10.1254/fpj.24037.

ABSTRACT

APOHIDE® Lotion 20% is a topical agent for treating primary palmar hyperhidrosis that contains the active ingredient oxybutynin hydrochloride. Oxybutynin hydrochloride has anticholinergic effects and inhibits sweating by binding to the M3 receptor, a subtype of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, in eccrine sweat glands. The clinical response to oxybutynin hydrochloride treatment also involves N-desethyloxybutynin, an active metabolite of oxybutynin. A clinical study in Japanese patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis showed superiority of APOHIDE® Lotion 20% over placebo, i.e., there were significantly more responders (i.e., patients with a reduction in sweat volume ≥50% from baseline) in the APOHIDE® Lotion 20% group (APOHIDE® Lotion 20% group: 52.8%, placebo group: 24.3%; treatment difference: 28.5%; P < 0.001, Fisher’s exact test). This and other clinical studies reported some adverse events (AEs) associated with the drug’s anticholinergic effects and some application site AEs, but most of the AEs were mild. Clinical response did not decrease with long-term (52-week) treatment, and only a few patients (2 of 125) discontinued treatment because of AEs. Taken together, study results indicate that APOHIDE® Lotion 20% may be an effective and safe new treatment option for patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

PMID:39496419 | DOI:10.1254/fpj.24037

Fractional CO(2) Laser-Assisted Delivery of Botulinum Toxin-A Versus Aluminum Chloride in Treatment of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024 Nov;40(6):e13006. doi: 10.1111/phpp.13006.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) constitutes a distressing dermatologic condition that greatly affects patients’ quality of life. Its management still needs to be addressed to find a suitable therapeutic modality that is readily available, cost effective, and gives patients a quite long disease-free period.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser as a delivery method for botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) and aluminum chloride in treating PPH.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four subjects with PPH were treated on both hands with fractional CO2 laser followed on the right hand with topical BTX-A and on the left hand with topical aluminum chloride. Minor’s starch-iodine test and Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) were used for evaluation of treatment response and for follow-up.

RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in HDSS in both groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in the therapeutic response for both modalities. There was a statistically significant longer disease-free period in the BTX-A-treated hands.

CONCLUSION: Fractional CO2 laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) represents a safe, minimally invasive procedure that enhances the delivery of BTX-A and aluminum chloride, the two most widely used agents for treating PPH, with a comparable anhidrotic response.

PMID:39388586 | DOI:10.1111/phpp.13006