Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in children is associated with high recurrence rates.

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Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in children is associated with high recurrence rates.

Pediatr Dermatol. 2020 Jul 16;:

Authors: Verhaegh AJFP, Kuijpers M, Boon M, DeJongste MJL, Bouma W, Mariani MA, Klinkenberg TJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Treatment of palmar and axillary primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) in children up to 16 years using thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is supported by scarce evidence. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the results of our standardized bilateral, one-stage, single-port sympathicotomy (BOSS) in children up to 16 years of age.
METHODS: Consecutive children (n = 14) up to 16 years of age undergoing BOSS between October 2011 and June 2015 in our institution were included in this retrospective study.
RESULTS: Recurrence of primary hyperhidrosis was noted in seven patients (50.0%), of whom five patients (35.7%) underwent reoperation. Reoperations were associated with placement of additional thoracoscopic ports (n = 1; 12.5%), intraoperative placement of pleural drains (n = 2; 25%), and prolonged air leak (n = 1; 12.5%). Despite the high recurrence and reoperation rates, overall patient satisfaction was high with a median satisfaction score of 7.5 (interquartile range of 1.75; range: 4-9).
CONCLUSION: Although the overall patient satisfaction score in our cohort was good, BOSS for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary PFH in children up to 16 years of age is associated with a high recurrence and reoperation rate.

PMID: 32677080 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Over a decade of single-center experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a case series.

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Over a decade of single-center experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a case series.

Surg Endosc. 2020 Jul 08;:

Authors: Mol A, Muensterer OJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a severely debilitating condition that can affect patients of any age. We report our experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in a large cohort of children less than 14 years of age.
METHODS: All children who underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis from April 2005 through January 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The procedure entailed bilateral bipolar fulguration of the second and third thoracic ganglia with transverse disruption of collateral nerve fibers along the third and fourth rib. Demographic information, as well as postoperative outcome, complications, and satisfaction were analyzed.
RESULTS: Over the 12 year study interval, a total of 102 children underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for palmar hyperhidrosis. Complete follow-up was available for 98 patients (median age 12 [range 5-14] years; 38 boys [39%]). Median follow-up was 4 [range 2-12] years. Complete palmar dryness was achieved in 93 (95%) cases. One patient suffered postoperative unilateral ptosis, 6 reported gustatory sweating, and 65 experienced compensatory sweating. Average postoperative rating on a 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) rating scale was 9, with 97 (99%) patients saying that they would undergo the procedure again.
CONCLUSION: Our technique of thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in children was associated with very high postoperative satisfaction, despite a high rate of compensatory sweating and occasional autonomic gustatory sweating. Other more severe complications in this age group were rare.

PMID: 32642844 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Association between Reflux Esophagitis Incidence and Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

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Association between Reflux Esophagitis Incidence and Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 23;17(12):

Authors: Cheng CG, Chien WC, Yu CP, Chung CH, Cheng CA

Abstract
The autonomic dysfunction in palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) includes not only sympathetic overactivity but also parasympathetic impairment. A decrease of parasympathetic tone has been noted in gastroesophageal reflux disease of neonates and adults. Patients with reflux esophagitis have a defective anti-reflux barrier. The association between reflux esophagitis and PH is deliberated in this article. The National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan was used. At first-time visits, PH patients were identified by the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification disease code of 780.8 without endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Patients were matched by age and gender as control groups. The reflux esophagitis incidence was assessed using disease codes 530.11, 530.81, and 530.85. The factors related to reflux esophagitis were established by the Cox proportional regression model. The risk of reflux esophagitis in PH patients had a hazard ratio of 3.457 (95% confidence interval: 3.043-3.928) after adjustment of the other factors. We confirmed the association between reflux esophagitis and PH. Health care providers must be alerted to this relationship and other risk factors of reflux esophagitis to support suitable treatments to improve the quality of life of patients.

PMID: 32585882 [PubMed – in process]

Fractional CO2 laser-assisted Botulinum toxin type A delivery for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

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Fractional CO2 laser-assisted Botulinum toxin type A delivery for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

Lasers Med Sci. 2020 Jun 17;:

Authors: Junsuwan N, Manuskiatti W, Phothong W, Wanitphakdeedecha R

Abstract
Intradermal injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) have been used successfully to treat patients with primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (PPH). However, problems with local injections of BTX-A for palmar hyperhidrosis include injection pain and reduced palmar muscle strength. This case series describes three patients with PPH. Patients were followed up for 3 months and assessed using the minor iodine starch test and the visual analog scale (VAS). Over two sessions within a 2-week interval, all patients received treatment on one palm, while the other palm served as the untreated control. Treated palms received fractional CO2 laser therapy and immediate post-operative topical application of BTX-A solution for a total of 50 units. Sweat production was assessed based on the size of the sweat-producing area (measured by the minor iodine starch test) and subjective assessment of sweat production using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, 2 weeks after the first treatment, and 1, 2, and 3 months after the second treatment. In the BTX-A-treated palm, the decrease in the mean sweat production was 51.6% at 2 weeks after the first treatment, and 88.5%, 67.8%, and 52.9%, at 1, 2, and 3 months after the final treatment when compared to the baseline. In the untreated palms, the decrease in the mean sweat production was 2% on all follow-ups when compared to the baseline. No adverse effect was observed in any patient. Fractional CO2 laser is a safe technique for BTX-A delivery on the palm area and is demonstrated to be safe and effective in decreasing sweat secretion of hyperhidrosis palm.

PMID: 32557001 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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

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

Clin Auton Res. 2020 May 25;:

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

Abstract
Unfortunately, the 3rd coauthor name has been published incorrectly in the original publication.

PMID: 32451754 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Anatomic variations of the intrathoracic nerves and the neural connections of the second and third thoracic sympathetic ganglia to the brachial plexus

Abstract

Introduction
This study investigated morphological variations of the intrathoracic nerves and the neural connections of the second and third thoracic sympathetic ganglia to the brachial plexus based on the existence of the intrathoracic nerves and the rami communicantes.

Materials and Methods
Fifty thoracic sympathetic trunks from 26 Korean adult cadavers were used.

Results
The first intrathoracic nerve connecting the first and second thoracic nerves was observed on 36 sides (72%), and the second intrathoracic nerve connecting the second and third thoracic nerves was found on 3 sides (6%). There were either one (62%) or two (10%) first intrathoracic nerves, and only one second intrathoracic nerve (6%). The neural connections of the second and third thoracic sympathetic ganglia to the first thoracic nerve were classified into three types based on the existence of the intrathoracic nerves: type I (68%) had only the first intrathoracic nerve, type II (26%) had no intrathoracic nerve, and type III (6%) had both the first and second intrathoracic nerves. Types I, II, and III were further subdivided into ten, six, and three types, respectively, according to the types of the rami communicantes arising from the second and third thoracic sympathetic ganglia.

Conclusions
Improved knowledge of the variations in intrathoracic nerves and upper thoracic sympathetic ganglia will be helpful to thoracic surgeons when they are disrupting the sympathetic supply to the hand for treating palmar hyperhidrosis, and contribute to successful diagnoses and treatments.

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]