Long-Term Efficacy of T3 Versus T3+T4 Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Concurrent Palmar and Plantar Hyperhidrosis

J Surg Res. 2021 Mar 7;263:224-229. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.064. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: More than 50% of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis (PAH) also have plantar hyperhidrosis (PLH). We compared the long-term results of T3 sympathectomy with those of combined T3+T4 sympathectomy among patients with concurrent PAH and PLH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with concurrent PAH and PLH who underwent T3 alone or T3+T4 sympathectomy from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. Preoperative and postoperative sweating (hyperhidrosis index) was evaluated through questionnaires, physical examination, and outpatient follow-up. The relief rates and hyperhidrosis index were used as outcome measures to compare the efficacy of the two approaches. Patients’ satisfaction and side effects were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 220 eligible patients, 60 underwent T3 sympathectomy (T3 group), and 160 underwent T3+T4 sympathectomy (T3+T4 group). Compared with the T3 group, the T3+T4 group showed higher symptom relief rates both for PAH (98.75% versus 93.33%, P = 0.048) and PLH (65.63% versus 46.67%, P = 0.01), and a greater postoperative decrease in both hyperhidrosis indices. The rate of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis also increased (10% versus 5%, P = 0.197), although the rates of overall satisfaction were comparable between the groups. The incidence of postoperative pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement and postoperative neuralgia was also similar. There were no cases of perioperative death, secondary operation, wound infection, or Horner syndrome in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with T3 alone, T3+T4 sympathectomy achieved a higher symptom relief rate and a lower hyperhidrosis index. T3+T4 sympathectomy may be a choice for the treatment of concurrent PAH and PLH; however, patients need to be informed that this kind of surgery may increase the risk of compensatory sweating.

PMID:33691245 | DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.064

Long-term Effectiveness of Microwave Thermoablation in Persons With Residual Limb Hyperhidrosis: A Case Series

Mil Med. 2021 Feb 25:usab083. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab083. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Excessive sweating or focal hyperhidrosis (HH) of the residual limb in persons with amputations is thought to be a significant contributor to residual limb dermatoses, prosthesis dysfunction, and decreased quality of life. Treatment algorithms used for HH in persons without amputation do not effectively translate to residual limb HH, and research in this area is sparse. We discuss the long-term outcomes of three patients treated with microwave thermoablation (MT) on their residual limbs who had previously been unsuccessfully managed with topical antiperspirants and botulinum toxin injections. On average, there was a decrease of two points in the Hyperhidrosis Severity Scale score among the three patients 4-6 years after treatment. Although the reported side effects of post-procedure edema and prolonged time out of a prosthesis are challenging, MT of the residual limb appears to be a promising treatment modality for persons with amputation. Further investigations for standardized treatment guidelines are required to improve management of residual limb HH with MT.

PMID:33629722 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usab083

A case series evaluating microwave-based therapy for axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis

J Dermatolog Treat. 2021 Feb 23:1-4. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1856317. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis have serious social, emotional, and professional consequences. There are several treatments of axillary hyperhidrosis. We present a case series evaluating the efficacy and safety of microwave device for axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients were included in our case series. Four patients had both hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis. Three patients had only hyperhidrosis. To evaluate the degree of hyperhidrosis and degree bromhidrosis a self-reported Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) score and 4-point malodor grade were assessed. All patients underwent 1 or 2 microwave treatments. Patients underwent a survey on treatment outcomes and adverse effect conducted through telephone 12 months after their last procedure.

RESULTS: Six of seven patients had a 2-point drop in HDSS score. The four patients with bromhidrosis had a 2-point drop on the self-reported malodor measurement 12 months post treatment. Minor adverse effects related to the therapy occurred.

CONCLUSION: This novel microwave-based treatment was effective for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis. Patient satisfaction with the procedure is high, and adverse events are typically transient and well tolerated.

PMID:33622150 | DOI:10.1080/09546634.2020.1856317

Plantar hyperhidrosis associated with primary palmar hyperhidrosis: Outcome following video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2021 Feb 20:218492321996508. doi: 10.1177/0218492321996508. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is an abnormal over-sweating of palms. It is usually associated with plantar hyperhidrosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy is the treatment of choice for palmar hyperhidrosis; however, it may affect plantar hyperhidrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thoracoscopic sympathectomy on plantar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: This prospective study included patients who presented to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department with primary palmo-planter hyperhidrosis and received thoracoscopic sympathectomy between January 2014 and December 2018. Preoperatively, patients scored subjectively the degree of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis on Visual Analogue Scale. Following surgery, scoring was performed at three intervals: 7, 30, and 180 days. Presence of compensatory sweating and its scoring was obtained at the same intervals. Complications and patient satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 518 patients were included. Complication rate, excluding compensatory hyperhidrosis, was 2.7%. Preoperative Visual Analogue Scale score for palmar hyperhidrosis was 9.9 ± 3.8 that following thoracoscopic sympathectomy decreased to 0.041 ± 0.2 on the seventh postoperative day. Further decrease to 0.3 ± 0.16 was noted on the 30th day and 180th day postoperatively. Preoperative Visual Analogue Scale score for plantar hyperhidrosis was 9.54 ± 0.66 that following sympathectomy decreased to 2.27 ± 1.67 on the seventh postoperative day. However, slight insignificant increase was noted to become 2.73 ± 1.65 on the 30th day and 6th month postoperatively. Compensatory hyperhidrosis was recorded in 3.9% of patients at 6th month postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: Palmar hyperhidrosis is usually associated with plantar hyperhidrosis. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective and safe treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. It may completely or partially cure plantar hyperhidrosis.

PMID:33611949 | DOI:10.1177/0218492321996508

Botulinum Toxin Versus Placebo: A Meta-Analysis of Treatment and Quality-of-life Outcomes for Hyperhidrosis

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021 Feb 22. doi: 10.1007/s00266-021-02140-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aims at assessing the treatment effect, disease severity and quality-of-life outcomes of botulinum toxin (BTX) injections for focal hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: We included randomized controlled trials of BTX injections compared with placebo for patients with primary or secondary focal hyperhidrosis. PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched to August 2020. Gravimetric sweat rate reduction, disease severity measured by Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and quality-of-life assessment measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index were the outcomes of interest. Cochrane risk-of-bias tools were employed for quality assessment of given randomized controlled trials.

RESULTS: Eight studies met our inclusion criteria (n=937). Overall, risk bias was mixed and mostly moderate. BTX injections showed reduced risk in comparison with placebo for the gravimetric quantitative sweat reduction of > 50 % from baseline (risk difference: 0.63, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.74). Additionally, improvements were seen for disease severity and quality-of-life assessments evaluated by Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score reduction of ≥ 2 points (risk difference: 0.56, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.69) and mean change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (mean difference: – 5.55, 95% CI – 7.11 to – 3.98). The acquired data were insufficient to assess for long-term outcomes and limited to an eight-week follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS: In focal axillary hyperhidrosis, BTX significantly reduces sweat production and yields superior outcomes in assessments of disease severity and quality-of-life. However, the quality-of-evidence is overall moderate and included studies account for short-term trial periods only. Further studies assessing BTX in comparison with first-line treatments for hyperhidrosis are warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID:33619611 | DOI:10.1007/s00266-021-02140-7

Rib-oriented Thoracoscopic Sympathetic Surgery for Hyperhidrosis: Prospective Long-term Results and Quality of Life.

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Rib-oriented Thoracoscopic Sympathetic Surgery for Hyperhidrosis: Prospective Long-term Results and Quality of Life.

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2021 Feb 16;:

Authors: Nachira D, Meacci E, Congedo MT, Petracca-Ciavarella L, Zanfrini E, Iaffaldano A, Vita ML, Chiappetta M, Griffo R, Lococo F, Margaritora S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The optimal thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery for primary palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis (PPAH) is still unclear because of lack of uniform technique and qualitative/quantitative scales for definition of results. The aims of this study were to compare long-term outcomes based on the surgical technique and the level of sympathetic trunk interruption by clipping and to assess postoperative compensatory sweating (CS), patients’ satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2009 and April 2016, 94 patients who underwent 2-stage bilateral thoracoscopic rib-oriented (R) sympathetic clipping were prospectively followed up through the administration of standardized preoperative and postoperative questionnaires.Thirty-four (36.2%) patients underwent single-port transaxillary access instead of the standard two 5-mm incisions. The level of sympathetic clipping for PPAH was R3+4(top and bottom); in patients who complained associated facial or plantar hyperhidrosis R2-bottom and R5-top were clipped, respectively. Seventy-five patients completed bilateral surgery.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences between single-port and biportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in terms of operative times and postoperative results. At a mean follow-up of 72 (SD: 26) months, CS was reported in 42 (56%) patients, severe only in 6 (8%). It was higher in the case of R2-bottom clipping (P=0.03). Thirty-one of 60 (51.6%) patients who had a plantar hyperhidrosis declared an improvement of feet sweating after surgery. Postoperative satisfaction was excellent (86.11% on a 0 to 100 scale) and 95.4% of patients declared an improvement in QoL, which was statistically significant in all evaluated parameters. These results were not related to the level of clipping.
CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic R3 to R4 clipping appears to be a safe and effective treatment for PPAH. Although postoperative CS was common and higher after R2-bottom clipping, this did not seem to affect patients’ satisfaction and improvement in QoL.

PMID: 33605681 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy with a flexible endoscope for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

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Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy with a flexible endoscope for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Ann Transl Med. 2020 Dec;8(24):1659

Authors: Lin JB, Kang MQ, Chen JF, Du Q, Li X, Lai FC, Tu YR

Abstract
Background: Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) with a flexible endoscope has rarely been reported. This study assessed the performance of this novel minimally invasive technique for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH).
Methods: From January 2019 to September 2019, 118 males with severe PPH requiring single-port and bilateral ETS were randomly allocated to undergo transareolar ETS using a flexible endoscope (group A, n=58) or transaxillary ETS using a 5 mm thoracoscope (group B, n=60).
Results: Both groups had similar patient characteristics. All procedures were performed successfully, with no mortality or conversion to open surgery. All patients had dry and warm palms immediately after surgery. Compared with group B, group A had a significantly shorter median incision length [5.1 (5.0-5.2) vs. 10.9 (10.8-11.9) mm; P<0.001], and significantly lower median postoperative pain score [1 (1.0-2.0) vs. 3 (3.0-4.0); P<0.001]. There were no differences between the two groups in operative time, palmar temperature increase, and transient postoperative sweating. After complete follow-up, group A had a significantly higher median cosmetic score than group B [4.0 (3.0-4.0) vs. 3.0 (3.0-3.0); P<0.001]. There were no differences between the two groups regarding symptom resolution, compensatory hyperhidrosis, and satisfaction score. No patient reported residual pain or symptom recurrence.
Conclusions: Transareolar single-port ETS with a flexible endoscope is safe, effective, and minimally invasive with a small incision, minimal pain, and excellent cosmetic results. This novel procedure is suitable for routine treatment of PPH in males.

PMID: 33490171 [PubMed]

A systematic evidence-based review of treatments for primary hyperhidrosis.

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A systematic evidence-based review of treatments for primary hyperhidrosis.

J Drug Assess. 2020 Dec 24;10(1):35-50

Authors: Stuart ME, Strite SA, Gillard KK

Abstract
Objective: Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is associated with significant quality-of-life burden yet is often undertreated. With limited FDA-approved treatments, health care providers must determine optimal treatment among approved and off-label options. Key objectives of this review were to reassess, update, and expand a previous systematic review of commonly used treatment options for primary hyperhidrosis, including consideration of aluminum and zirconium compounds.
Methods: We performed a qualitative systematic review of efficacy, health-related quality of life, satisfaction, and safety of interventions, replicating and expanding the strategy outlined in a previous systematic review, with the addition of studies utilizing a within-patient design. We performed a critical appraisal of identified studies to determine risk of bias (RoB) and strength of evidence (SOE).
Results: A total of 32 studies were eligible for critical appraisal. Only three studies – two clinical trials of glycopyrronium cloth (2.4%) and one trial of botulinum toxin A injections in axillary hyperhidrosis were rated as “low” RoB; both had SOE ratings of “moderate” for use in axillary hyperhidrosis – the highest rating included in this review.
Conclusions: Optimal treatment choice depends on several factors, including understanding the quality of evidence regarding each treatment’s efficacy and safety (considerations of convenience and cost are beyond the scope of this review). In hyperhidrosis, as in other clinical conditions, treatment decisions should be patient centered. At this time, because of the quality of evidence, only imprecise estimates of effect are possible for hyperhidrosis treatments included in this review, and statements about comparative effectiveness are not possible.

PMID: 33489435 [PubMed]

CHRNA1 promotes the pathogenesis of primary focal hyperhidrosis.

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CHRNA1 promotes the pathogenesis of primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2021 Jan 18;:103598

Authors: Lin JB, Kang MQ, Huang LP, Zhuo Y, Li X, Lai FC

Abstract
The aim of the study was to elucidate the involvement of cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 1 subunit (CHRNA1) in the pathogenesis of primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH). The hyperhidrosis mouse model was constructed using pilocarpine injection. The expression levels of CHRNA1 in sweat gland tissues of PFH patients and hyperhidrosis mice were compared using Western blots and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses. Sweat secretion in hyperhidrosis mice treated with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CHRNA1 (si-CHRNA1) or non-specific siRNA were compared. Sweat secretory granules in the sweat gland cells of hyperhidrosis mice were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The serum level of acetylcholine was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while markers associated with PFH, including Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 C (CACNA1C), were assessed using immunohistochemical assay and Western blots. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) in sympathetic ganglia axons of hyperhidrosis mice were quantified using Western blots. CHRNA1 up-regulation is a characteristic of the sweat glands of PFH patients and Hyperhidrosis mice. Silencing CHRNA1 decreased sweat secretion and the number of sweat secretory granules of hyperhidrosis mice. Serum acetylcholine, as well as AQP5 and CACNA1C expression in the sweat glands, was reduced by siCHRNA1. BDNF1 and NRG-1 levels in the sympathetic ganglia axons were also attenuated by siCHRNA1 treatment. CHRNA1 up-regulation is a potential biomarker of PFH and downregulating CHRNA1 could alleviate the symptoms of PFH through inactivating the sympathetic system.

PMID: 33476802 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

A 1% glycopyrronium bromide cream for the topical treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 3a Randomised Controlled Study.

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A 1% glycopyrronium bromide cream for the topical treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 3a Randomised Controlled Study.

Br J Dermatol. 2021 Jan 14;:

Authors: Abels C, Soeberdt M, Kilic A, Reich H, Knie U, Jourdan C, Schramm K, Heimstaedt-Muskett S, Masur C, Szeimies RM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effective topical treatment options for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis are limited. Recent phase 1 trial showed promising results regarding efficacy and safety for topical cream containing glycopyrronium bromide (GPB).
OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of a 4-week topical treatment with 1% GPB cream in subjects with primary axillary hyperhidrosis compared to placebo.
METHODS: 171 patients (84 placebo; 87 1% GPB) with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were included in this 4 week, multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3a part of the pivotal study. Sweat production was measured by gravimetry. Patients rated disease impact using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL© ).
RESULTS: Absolute change in sweat production from baseline to day 29 in logarithmic values was significantly larger in the 1% GPB group than in the placebo group (p=0.0038). The improvement in HidroQoL© exceeded minimal clinically important difference of 4. The proportion of responders was two-fold higher than for placebo for sweat reduction, HDSS and HidroQoL© (-197.08 mg GPB vs. -83.49 mg placebo; 23% GPB vs 11.9% placebo and 59.8% GPB vs. 26.2% placebo respectively). Treatment was safe, most TEAEs were mild or moderate and transient. Local tolerability was very good with 9.2% of patients having only mild or moderate application site reactions. The most reported ADR was dry mouth (16.1%), an expected anticholinergic effect of the treatment.
CONCLUSION: 1% GPB cream may provide an effective new treatment option exhibiting a good safety profile for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. The long-term open-label part (Phase 3b) is ongoing.

PMID: 33445205 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]