Influence of T3 or T4 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis

Kim, Won Oak; Kil, Hae Keum; Yoon, Kyung Bong; Yoon, Duck Me; Lee, Jung Soo

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.12.024

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 199, Issue 2 , Pages 166-169, February 2010

Influence of T3 or T4 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Received 31 October 2008; received in revised form 15 December 2008 published online 13 April 2009.

Abstract

Background

This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the T3 or T4 level in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Methods

Patients were operated on for palmar hyperhidrosis from April 2004 to December 2007, and classified as the T3 (n = 56) or T4 (n = 63) sympathicotomy group.

Results

The rate of dryness and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) was significantly lower in the T4 sympathicotomy group than the T3 group (P < .01). Satisfaction rate, recurrence, and improvement of plantar sweating were of no statistical significance in either group.

Conclusions

Although both sympathicotomies were effective, safe, and minimally invasive methods for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, T4 appeared to be a more optimal technique with less CH.

Keywords: Hyperhidrosis, Sympathicotomy, Thoracic surgery, Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery