Category: Sympathectomy

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Endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy for primary hyperhidrosis: predictors of outcome over a 10-year period

Surg Endosc. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08684-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy/sympathotomy is gold standard of treatment for primary hyperhidrosis. Compensatory hyperhidrosis following surgery and partial response to surgery in some patients can significantly affect surgery outcome and patient satisfaction. In this study we investigated predictors of success rate, side effects, and satisfaction of our patients following ETS over a 10-year period.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed result of 200 Endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy surgeries that was performed in a single center to treat craniofacial, palmar, or axillary primary hyperhidrosis over a 10-year period. Patients were asked to report success of surgery to resolve their primary hyperhidrosis, development of compensatory hyperhidrosis, its severity, and their overall satisfaction with surgery.

RESULTS: Palmar hyperhidrosis was resolved in 167 (94%) patients. Craniofacial hyperhidrosis was resolved in 66 (84%) patients. Axillary hyperhidrosis was resolved in 68 (50%) patients. Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in 176 (88%) patients. 44 (22%) patients had mild CHH, 79 (40%) patients developed moderate CHH, and 52 (26%) patients experienced severe CHH. A total of 173 (87%) patients were satisfied with surgery. 19 (9%) patients were not satisfied with ETS and 8 (4%) patients regretted ETS. Lower body mass index and grade IV primary hyperhidrosis were found to be independent predictors of patient satisfaction. Pure axillary primary hyperhidrosis was a negative predictor of patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: Best results of ETS are achieved in patients with grade IV PHH and lower body mass indexes. Outcome of ETS for treating axillary PHH is not favorable.

PMID:34426874 | DOI:10.1007/s00464-021-08684-8

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Nationwide Cross-Sectional Analysis of Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy to Treat Hyperhidrosis over 12 years in Brazil: Epidemiology, Costs and Mortality

Ann Surg. 2021 Aug 19. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005178. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the number of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomies performed to treat hyperhidrosis in the Universal Public Health System of Brazil, the government reimbursements and the in-hospital mortality rates.

BACKGROUND: Even though endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has been widely performed for the definitive treatment of hyperhidrosis, no series reported mortality and there are no population-based studies evaluating its costs or its mortality rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data referring to endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy to treat hyperhidrosis between 2008 and 2019 were extracted from the database of the Brazilian Public Health System, which insures more than 160 millions inhabitants.

RESULTS: 13,201 endoscopic thoracic sympathectomies to treat hyperhidrosis were performed from 2008 to 2019, with a rate of 68.44 procedures per 10 million inhabitants per year. There were 6 in-hospital deaths during the whole period, representing a mortality rate of 0.045%. The total expended throughout the years was U$ 6,767,825.14, with and average of U$ 512.68 per patient.

CONCLUSIONS: We observed a rate of 68.44 thoracoscopic sympathectomies for hyperhidrosis’ treatment per 10 million inhabitants per year. The in-hospital mortality rate was very low, 0.045%, though not nil. To our knowledge, no published series is larger than ours and we are the first authors to formally report deaths following endoscopic thoracic sympathectomies to treat hyperhidrosis. Moreover, there is no other population-based study addressing costs and mortality rates of every endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of any site of hyperhidrosis in a given period.

PMID:34417365 | DOI:10.1097/SLA.0000000000005178

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Evaluation of compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy: the use of an objective method

Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 Aug 16:S0890-5096(21)00479-9. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.05.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of compensatory hyperhidrosis following videothoracic sympathectomy to treat palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and its effect on sweating in the chest, abdomen, back and thighs. Furthermore, to evaluate the concordance between a subjective and an objective method of assessment for compensatory hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: Forty patients with combined palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis who underwent video assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (15 women and 25 men, with a mean age of 25 years) were prospectively followed for one year. Subjective and objective parameters were evaluated, using respectively a questionnaire and a sudorometer (Vapometer).

RESULTS: In the subjective analysis, in the first month, only 10% of patients did not have compensatory hyperhidrosis, and 70% continued to report it at one or more sites after 1 year. In the objective analysis, 35% of the patients did not present compensatory hyperhidrosis after 1 month, and this number persisted stable, with 30% of patients remaining free of compensatory hyperhidrosis after 1 year. The most frequent area affected by compensatory hyperhidrosis was the back in both assessments. There was no positive concordance between the results of the objective and the subjective analysis at any time in any of the 4 regions studied.

CONCLUSION: Compensatory hyperhidrosis is a very common postoperative side effect after videothoracic sympathectomy, occurring early after the procedure and persisting for prolonged periods of time. The most frequently affected body area is the back, and no concordance between objective and subjective assessments was observed.

PMID:34411664 | DOI:10.1016/j.avsg.2021.05.014

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Thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: systematic review and proportional meta-analysis

Ann Med. 2021 Dec;53(1):1216-1226. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2021.1953126.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperhidrosis is a disorder that involves excessive sweat production, which has a negative impact on the quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS) for treating primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) and determine which level of ganglion resection offers the best outcome.

METHOD: This was a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis of observational studies. The result was evaluated for satisfaction, control of symptoms, compensatory sweating and complications. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare the sympathetic trunk resection at high and low levels.

RESULTS: Thirteen studies were selected with a total of 1463 patients. The satisfaction rate was 92% (95% CI = 88-95%, I2=47.5%), the symptom control rate was 96% (95% CI = 93-99%, I2=48.2%), and the presence of compensatory sweating could not be assessed because of high heterogeneity among studies. The complications were rare.

CONCLUSION: This review demonstrated that thoracic sympathectomy by VATS is a viable and safe option for the treatment of PAH. There was no difference between high and lower levels of resection. However, the estimation of the effect is quite uncertain because the quality of evidence was extremely low.Key messagePure axillary hyperhidrosis has great potential to compromise quality of life.Surgery should be indicated only when clinical treatment fails.Thoracic sympathectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopy is a viable and safe option for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

PMID:34282698 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2021.1953126

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Thoracoscopic sympathetic block to predict compensatory hyperhidrosis in primary hyperhidrosis

J Thorac Dis. 2021 Jun;13(6):3509-3517. doi: 10.21037/jtd-21-229.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Compensatory hyperhidrosis is the main cause of patients’ dissatisfaction following sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis. Therefore, thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve block before sympathectomy can be used to predict compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy. The objective of this study is to review our recent experience with the nerve block procedure, describing efficacy, safety and validity.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 107 patients who underwent thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve block with a local anesthetic for primary palmar and craniofacial hyperhidrosis using a 2-mm needlescope from March 2017 to November 2019. A week later, the patients were interviewed, and a decision made as to whether to proceed with sympathectomy. We analyzed the perioperative data of patients who underwent the predictive procedure either followed, or not followed, by sympathectomy.

RESULTS: Primary hyperhidrosis was relieved in all patients by the predictive procedure without severe complications. Compensatory hyperhidrosis happened to 32 patients (29.9%). Seventy-eight patients (72.9%) decided to undergo sympathectomy (group A) and 29 patients (27.1%) refused the sympathectomy (group B). Group B tended to have higher average body mass index (24.5 versus 23.2 kg/m2, P=0.082) and compensatory hyperhidrosis rate after predictive procedure (37.9% versus 26.9%, P=0.269) compared to group A. The compensatory hyperhidrosis rate after sympathectomy in group A was 76.9%. The effective duration of sympathetic block was significantly longer in group A than in group B (33.5 versus 13.9 hours, P=0.001). The predictive procedure had 94.4% specificity and 33.3% sensitivity for prediction of compensatory hyperhidrosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic sympathetic block may be safe and feasible as a procedure for predicting compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy, and beneficially, it allows the patients to experience the effect of sympathectomy on primary hyperhidrosis and occurrence of compensatory hyperhidrosis. However, a longer effective duration of sympathetic block is needed to help patients to decide whether to proceed with the surgery.

PMID:34277046 | PMC:PMC8264690 | DOI:10.21037/jtd-21-229

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Hyperhidrosis: treatment, results, problems

Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2021;(7):12-17. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia202107112.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 166 patients aged from 15-51 years. There were 118 women and 48 men. Isolated palmar hyperhidrosis was observed in 46 patients, axillary – 46 patients, palmar-axillary – 74 cases. Video-assisted thoracic bilateral sympathectomy was performed. In patients with palmar hyperhidrosis, sympathetic chain was transected between the ribs II and III, axillary and palmar-axillary hyperhidrosis – between the ribs III and IV.

RESULTS: Intraoperative injury of intercostal artery occurred in 1 case. Cautery was effective. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 (2.4%) patients (pneumothorax followed by drainage for up to 2-3 days). Symptoms of hyperhidrosis disappeared early after surgery in all cases. Long-term results were followed in 47 patients. Persistent positive effect and patient satisfaction with postoperative outcome were noted in 44 (93.6%) cases. Recurrences occurred in 2 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis and 1 patient with axillary hyperhidrosis for the period from 2 weeks to 6 months. Compensatory sweating developed in 26 (55.3%) patients (within several weeks up to 6 months). Mild compensatory sweating occurred in 17 patients, moderate – 8 patients, severe – 1 patient. Compensatory sweating was more common in patients with axillary and palmar-axillary hyperhidrosis compared to those with isolated palmar hyperhidrosis (p<0.05). We found no significant difference in the incidence of compensatory sweating depending on the level of sympathetic chain intersection (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: An effectiveness of thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis is obvious. Compensatory sweating is the main undesirable consequence of this surgery. Prediction and prevention of compensatory sweating are not possible. It is imperative to warn the patient about possible compensatory sweating.

PMID:34270188 | DOI:10.17116/hirurgia202107112

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Current treatment options for craniofacial hyperhidrosis

J Vasc Bras. 2020 Nov 16;19:e20190152. doi: 10.1590/1677-5449.200152.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is characterized by sweating exceeding the amount necessary to meet the thermal regulation and physiological needs of the body. Approximately 9.41% of individuals with HH have craniofacial hyperhidrosis (FH). The present study aims to review the most current data in the literature regarding craniofacial hyperhidrosis, including pathophysiology, diagnosis and clinical presentation, treatment options (clinical and surgical), and outcomes. VATS (videothoracoscopy sympathectomy) is considered the gold standard for definitive treatment of axillary or palmar hyperhidrosis. Recently, several studies have shown the usefulness of clinical treatment with oxybutynin hydrochloride, leading to clinical improvement of HH in more than 70% of users. Both clinical and surgical treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis have good results. However, surgical treatment of FH is associated with more complications. Clinical treatment with oxybutynin hydrochloride yields good results and can be the first therapeutic option. When the patient is not satisfied with this treatment and has good clinical conditions, surgical treatment can be used safely.

PMID:34211510 | PMC:PMC8218019 | DOI:10.1590/1677-5449.200152

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Minilaparoscopic lumbar sympathectomy with 3 mm instruments for plantar hyperhidrosis

J Vasc Bras. 2020 May 8;19:e20190072. doi: 10.1590/1677-5449.180072.

ABSTRACT

Severe palmoplantar hyperhidrosis affects about 1.5-2.8% of the general population. Plantar hyperhidrosis (PHH) is related to foot odor, cold feet, skin lesions and infections, and even instability when walking. Endoscopic Lumbar Sympathectomy (ELS) is the treatment of choice for this condition. However, few surgeons have used this technique over the past 20 years because of its technical difficulty. Two and 3 mm instruments, rather than the standard 5 mm instruments, have been used to improve the results of several standard laparoscopic procedures. Use of these minilaparoscopic instruments to perform ELS so far has not yet been published. We describe a technique for ELS using minilaparocopic instruments, which we have used for our last 70 cases and has become our standard technique. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique and its advantages compared to the conventional technique.

PMID:34178057 | PMC:PMC8202175 | DOI:10.1590/1677-5449.180072

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Management of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: An Algorithmic Approach

J Drugs Dermatol. 2021 May 1;20(5):523-528. doi: 10.36849/JDD.5774.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is defined as perspiration beyond the level required to maintain temperature regulation. HH affects nearly 4.8% of the population in the United States. It can have a great impact on patient&rsquo;s quality of life by disturbing daily activity, performance, confidence, social interactions, and mental health. In the majority of patients with HH (93%), the etiology of excess sweating is idiopathic, which classifies it as primary focal HH. Mild HH may be controlled with topical antiperspirants and lifestyle modifications. Based on the location of involvement, iontophoresis and botulinum toxin may be considered if the patient does not respond to topical therapies. Despite minimizing sweating, chronic use of systemic anticholinergics, in particular oxybutynin, may result in detrimental adverse effects such as dementia. Local surgery, radiofrequency, microwave, and lasers are other potential modalities for HH. Sympathectomy can be a last resort for the treatment of focal HH of the palmar, plantar, axillary, and craniofacial areas after failure of less invasive therapeutic options. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search in the PubMed electronic database to summarize an algorithmic approach for the treatment of HH. This can help broaden options for managing this difficult disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 20(5): doi:10.36849/JDD.5774.

PMID:33938689 | DOI:10.36849/JDD.5774

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Thoracoscopic bilateral dorsal sympathectomy for primary palmo-axillary hyperhidrosis short- and mid-term results

J Minim Access Surg. 2021 Apr 8. doi: 10.4103/jmas.JMAS_174_20. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic bilateral dorsal sympathectomy is the standard of care for primary palmo-axillary hyperhidrosis. This study aims at studying the surgical outcomes with special emphasis on the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) after thoracoscopic dorsal sympathectomy. Post-procedural patient satisfaction as well as quality of life was measured and analysed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of sixty thoracoscopic dorsal sympathectomy surgeries in thirty patients in a tertiary level thoracic surgery centre over 2 years. Various peri-operative variables were recorded and assessed. Incidence of CH was noted and analysed in relation to patient satisfaction and record was made of quality of life at the time of discharge, at 3 months and 1-year follow-up following surgery.

RESULTS: We performed sixty video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomies in 30 patients. The mean operative time was 44.93 ± 10 min. The mean hospital stay was 1 day. There were no immediate post-procedural complications. All the patients had complete resolution of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. Fifty per cent of our patients (15/30) had some degree of CH after surgery. Quality-of-life measurement showed very good satisfaction by 100% at discharge, by 93.3% at 3 months and at 1 year. Those 6.66% of patients were partially satisfied/not satisfied because of the presence of moderate-to-severe CH.

CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of the patients with primary palmo-axillary hyperhidrosis will be very satisfied with the procedure at 1 year after surgery despite 50% of them developing CH. Detailed counselling regarding CH in the pre-operative period would minimise the dissatisfaction rate after surgery.

PMID:33885020 | DOI:10.4103/jmas.JMAS_174_20