Long‐term results of the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin: follow‐up of 1,658 cases

Abstract

Background
Hyperhidrosis (HH) is characterized by exaggerated sweating in a specific region due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. In the late 2000s, we started treating patients with an anticholinergic, oxybutynin, that was not being used until then.

Objectives
To present, after 12 years of utilizing this medication in our service, the substantial experience obtained with the use of oxybutynin as an initial treatment of HH in a large series of 1,658 patients.

Methods
We analyzed 1,658 patients treated with oxybutynin for HH from May 2006 to June 2018. The patients were divided into four groups according to the main site of HH: the plantar group, the axillary group, the facial group, and the palmar group. To measure the degree of satisfaction, a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was used.

Results
Pre‐treatment QoL was poor or very poor in more than 94% of the cases, and the palmar group had the worst quality of life. After treatment, we observed an improvement in the quality of life in 77% of patients. More than 70% of the patients in all groups present moderate or optimal subjective clinical improvement in sweating after treatment. The group with the best result was the facial group. Intense dry mouth was reported in 24.9% of all patients in all groups.

Conclusions
This study included a large number of patients followed for a long period and demonstrated the good effectiveness of treatment with oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis in the main sites of sweating.

Botulinum toxin type A in chronic non‐dyshidrotic palmar eczema: A side‐by‐side comparative study

Abstract
New indications are being reported for intradermal botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) owing to its anti‐inflammatory and antipruritic actions. Its successful use for dyshidrotic hand eczema and lichen simplex has been reported in a few cases, while its utility in dry palmar eczema not associated with hyperhidrosis has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was the assessment of the additive efficacy and tolerability of BTX‐A in chronic dry palmar eczema. This prospective non‐randomized side‐by‐side comparative study included 30 cases of chronic bilateral dry palmar eczema with no associated hyperhidrosis. Combined emollients and topical mid‐potency steroid on one side were compared with an additive 100 units of intradermal BTX‐A on the other side for efficacy and tolerability using both patient‐ and physician‐oriented scores over a period of 6 months. Timing and extent of improvement and relapse were recorded on both sides, together with the frequency of development of side‐effects. Both lines were effective and well tolerated, with significantly greater reduction of symptom and sign scores and higher overall patient satisfaction on the side receiving BTX‐A, an effect which lasted for a significantly longer duration on this side (4 months) as compared with the other side (1 month). In conclusion, intradermal BTX‐A at a dose of 100 units/palm is beneficial and well tolerated in chronic dry palmar eczema. Compared with topical steroid and emollients alone, its addition yielded superior efficacy that was longer lasting and more satisfactory to the patients, while exerting a steroid‐sparing effect.

Successful treatment of Pachyonychia congenita with Rosuvastatin

Abstract
Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare genetic disorder affecting nails, skin, oral mucosae, larynx, hair and teeth. Patients with PC present with nail thickening and painful plantar keratoderma. Additional features include hyperhidrosis, oral leukokeratosis, follicular keratosis, palmar keratoderma, cutaneous cysts, hoarseness or laryngeal involvement, coarse or twisted hair and abnormalities of the teeth 1. Current treatment focuses on symptom relief 2. Several experimental therapies (including siRNA, mTOR‐inhibition) have been developed but did not reach clinical use 3, 4. We herein report on the effective therapy of a 9‐year‐old female with PC due to a heterozygous KRT6A mutation. After failed efficacy of common available therapies, our patient was successfully treated with Rosuvastatin.

Quality of life after thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a meta-analysis.

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Quality of life after thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a meta-analysis.

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020 May 10;:

Authors: Wei Y, Xu ZD, Li H

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Palmar hyperhidrosis affects 0.6-10% of the general population, having an important impact in patients’ quality of life. The definitive treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis is thoracic sympathectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of life after thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis.
METHODS: The interest studies were searched in six comprehensive databases. The quality of the studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool recommended by the Cochrane system evaluation manual. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan version 5.3. The outcome of interest was quality of life. The subgroup analysis and sensitive analysis were performed.
RESULTS: Nine trials, including 895 patients, with accessible data comparing preoperative quality of life score with postoperative quality-of-life score were used for data analysis. Compared with preoperative quality-of-life score, application of thoracic sympathectomy improved the postoperative quality of life of palmar hyperhidrosis patients (MD = 57.81, 95% CI 53.33-62.30). Subgroup analysis of the different thoracic sympathectomy segment showed that there was no significant difference in the results obtained when operated with single segment or multiple segments (single segment: MD = 61.16, 95% CI [56.10, 66.22], multiple segments: MD = 52.14, 95% CI [48.39, 55.88]).
CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis provided evidence of the improved quality of life after thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis.

PMID: 32390086 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

The impact of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy on sudomotor function in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.

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The impact of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy on sudomotor function in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.

Clin Auton Res. 2020 Apr 27;:

Authors: Hirakawa N, Higashimoto I, Takamaori A, Tsukamoto E, Uemura Y

Abstract
PURPOSE: When performing endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) in palmar hyperhidrosis patients, a device can be used to measure sweat volume pre- and postoperatively in order to assess indications and treatment effects. In this study, we measured changes in the dynamics of sweating in hyperhidrosis patients pre- and postoperatively and compared the values with those in healthy subjects without hyperhidrosis.
METHODS: The patient group comprised 25 persons with palmar hyperhidrosis who were scheduled for ETS. The dynamics of sweating was measured at 1 day prior to surgery and at 2 days postoperatively, in 18 patients at > 1 year postoperatively in another palmar hyperhidrosis group, and in 20 healthy subjects without hyperhidrosis. A device for measuring local sweat volume was applied at the thenar eminence of both palms. Indicators established were basal sweat rate (BSR; mg/min/cm2), peak sweat rate (PSR; mg/min/cm2) during mental stress (sympathetic sweating response), sweat volume (SV), and sweat time (ST; s).
RESULTS: After surgery, all of the indicators were significantly reduced in hyperhidrosis patients and there was very little response to mental stress. The subgroup of these patients assessed at > 1 year after ETS showed a trend of increased BSR similar to that of healthy subjects. These changes did not correlate with the extent of the removal surgery. Preoperatively, hyperhidrosis patients had significantly greater BSR, PSR, and SV and longer ST than healthy subjects.
CONCLUSION: All of the sweating parameters were increased in palmar hyperhidrosis patients prior to surgery. Immediately after ETS, all these parameters were significantly reduced. At > 1 year after ETS, the BSR had increased to a level similar to that of the healthy volunteers, although PSR did not respond to mental stress.

PMID: 32342237 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Long-term results of the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin: follow-up of 1,658 cases.

Related Articles

Long-term results of the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin: follow-up of 1,658 cases.

Int J Dermatol. 2020 Apr 16;:

Authors: Wolosker N, Kauffman P, de Campos JRM, Faustino CB, da Silva MFA, Teivelis MP, Puech-Leão P

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis (HH) is characterized by exaggerated sweating in a specific region due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. In the late 2000s, we started treating patients with an anticholinergic, oxybutynin, that was not being used until then.
OBJECTIVES: To present, after 12 years of utilizing this medication in our service, the substantial experience obtained with the use of oxybutynin as an initial treatment of HH in a large series of 1,658 patients.
METHODS: We analyzed 1,658 patients treated with oxybutynin for HH from May 2006 to June 2018. The patients were divided into four groups according to the main site of HH: the plantar group, the axillary group, the facial group, and the palmar group. To measure the degree of satisfaction, a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was used.
RESULTS: Pre-treatment QoL was poor or very poor in more than 94% of the cases, and the palmar group had the worst quality of life. After treatment, we observed an improvement in the quality of life in 77% of patients. More than 70% of the patients in all groups present moderate or optimal subjective clinical improvement in sweating after treatment. The group with the best result was the facial group. Intense dry mouth was reported in 24.9% of all patients in all groups.
CONCLUSIONS: This study included a large number of patients followed for a long period and demonstrated the good effectiveness of treatment with oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis in the main sites of sweating.

PMID: 32301117 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

New sympathicotomy for prevention of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis in patients with primary hyperhidrosis.

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New sympathicotomy for prevention of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis in patients with primary hyperhidrosis.

J Thorac Dis. 2020 Mar;12(3):765-772

Authors: Han JW, Kim JJ, Kim YH, Kim IS, Jeong SC

Abstract
Background: Primary hyperhidrosis (PH) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable secretion in the eccrine sweat glands of the craniofacial region, armpits, hands, and feet. Sympathicotomy is the most effective treatment for severe PH; however, compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) remains the most devastating postoperative complication. The purpose of the present study was to suggest a new sympathicotomy method for PH to prevent severe CH.
Methods: From March 2014 to December 2018, a total of 212 patients were included in the study. R2 (53 cases) sympathicotomy for craniofacial hyperhidrosis and R3 (79 cases) or R4 (80 cases) sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis using the thoracoscopic technique were performed, respectively. Sympathicotomy was performed using two different methods (conventional 145 cases and new 67 cases). Expanded sympathicotomy was performed as the new method (67 cases), which was divided into two groups (partial- and full-expanded sympathicotomy). Operative effectiveness was evaluated by a reduction in percentage of post-operative sweating compared with pre-operative sweating and groups were divided into complete and incomplete sweat reduction characteristics. Complete sweat reduction was defined as sweat reduction ≥80% compared with preoperative sweating. The degrees of CH were classified as negligible, mild bothering (tolerable), and severe bothering (intolerable). Data on preoperative subject characteristics, disease status, operative technique, and postoperative outcomes were gathered using medical records and telephone surveys.
Results: According to sympathicotomy techniques, the conventional procedure (non-expanded sympathicotomy) was performed in 145 cases and the new expanded sympathicotomy procedure was performed in 67 cases (partial-expanded sympathicotomy 28 cases; full-expanded sympathicotomy 39 cases). Craniofacial hyperhidrosis was significantly more prevalent in the older group and in female patients (P<0.001 and P=0.007, respectively). Sympathicotomy was significantly more effective in palmar hyperhidrosis than craniofacial hyperhidrosis (P<0.001). CH was significantly more severe in craniofacial hyperhidrosis than palmar hyperhidrosis after sympathicotomy (P<0.001). In craniofacial hyperhidrosis, there was no significant difference in sweat reduction and CH between conventional and the expanded sympathicotomy techniques (P=0.177 and P=0.474, respectively). In palmar hyperhidrosis, there was no significant difference in sweat reduction between the conventional and the expanded sympathicotomy (P=0.178), however, degree of CH in the conventional technique was significantly more severe than in the expanded technique (P=0.001). Regarding comparison between partial- and full-expanded sympathicotomy, there was no significant difference in sweat reduction between partial-, and full-expanded sympathicotomy; however, CH was significantly more severe in partial-expanded sympathicotomy (craniofacial hyperhidrosis P=0.006; palmar hyperhidrosis P<0.001). Irrespective of hyperhidrosis types, there was no significant difference in sweat reduction between full-expanded and the others (non-expanded and partial-expanded sympathicotomy), however, full-expanded sympathicotomy showed a significantly less degree of CH than non-expanded and partial-expanded sympathicotomy (craniofacial, P=0.002; palmar, P<0.001).
Conclusions: Full-expanded sympathicotomy is a safe and feasible treatment that shows a significant decrease in the degree of CH with the same effect in sweat reduction in both craniofacial and palmar hyperhidrosis. Importantly, no severe CH developed after a full-expanded sympathicotomy without any major postoperative complications.

PMID: 32274143 [PubMed]

The safety and feasibility of intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green in thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

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The safety and feasibility of intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green in thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

Thorac Cancer. 2020 Feb 15;:

Authors: Pei G, Liu Y, Liu Q, Min X, Yang Y, Wang S, Liu J, Wang J, Huang Y

Abstract
BACKGROUND: We investigated the safety and feasibility of intraoperative near-infrared (NIR) imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) during sympathectomy in the management of primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH).
METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 142 patients (ICG group) who underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) between February 2018 and April 2019. All patients received a 5 mg/kg infusion of ICG 24 hours preoperatively. The vital signs before and after ICG injection and adverse reactions were recorded. Meanwhile, 498 patients (Non-ICG group) who underwent ETS by normal thoracoscopy during August 2017 to April 2019 were also reviewed to compare the abnormal white blood cell (WBC) counts, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr) levels before and after operation between two groups.
RESULTS: For ICG group, the vital signs including body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure before and after ICG injection were stable. There was no significant difference in the abnormal WBC counts, ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr levels before and after operation between two groups. Only one patient had mild adverse reaction (0.7%) after ICG injection. The visibility rate of all sympathetic ganglions was 96.7% (1369/1415). The visibility rate from T1 to T5 was 98.23% (278/283), 98.23% (278/283), 97.17% (275/283), 95.76% (271/283), and 94.35% (267/283), respectively. There was no significant difference in the visibility rate with regard to age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, and PPH grade.
CONCLUSIONS: NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG for identifying sympathetic ganglions is relatively safe and feasible.

PMID: 32061064 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Thoracoscopic sympathotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: How young is too young?

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Thoracoscopic sympathotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: How young is too young?

J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Dec 11;:

Authors: Vasconcelos-Castro S, Soares-Oliveira M, Tuna T, Borges-Dias M

Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Primary hyperhidrosis affects 1%-3% of the general population, with increased incidence in teenagers, having an important impact in the quality of life. This study evaluates the efficacy and patients’ satisfaction after bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with palmar primary hyperhidrosis that underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy over the last eight years. The procedure was performed with 2 ports and simple transection of the sympathetic chain. Pre and postoperative sweating severity was evaluated by telephone interview, using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS).
RESULTS: 23 patients (19 girls; 15.5 [11-19] years-old) underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy. All complained of palmar hyperhidrosis, which resolved in all cases. Compensatory sweating occurred in 47.8% of patients. 21 patients answered the telephone interview: all of them would recommend the surgery to others. Sweating severity improved in all patients, with a mean decrease of 1.95 values of the HDSS from preoperative to postoperative evaluation (p < 0.05). There was neither morbidity nor mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy is a safe and effective treatment for primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Being the first report on pediatric application of HDSS, we conclude that children are very satisfied with the final outcome.
TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID: 31870560 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]