Resympathicotomy

Single-port Thoracoscopic Laser Sympathicotomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis: A Safe and Minimally Invasive Approach With Favorable Short-term Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is a well-established treatment for severe palmar hyperhidrosis. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel one-stage, bilateral, single-port laser sympathicotomy with minimal dissection.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 73 patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent this novel surgical technique between June 2023 and October 2023. Outcomes included complications, recurrent hyperhidrosis, and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH). Hyperhidrosis severity was assessed using the hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS).

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 21.3 ± 7.7 years, with a female predominance (52.1%). Sympathicotomy was performed at the T3 level only in 46 patients (63%), with the remaining undergoing sympathicotomy at both T3 and T4 levels. Median cauterization and operating times were 78 seconds and 8.7 minutes, respectively. No complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrent hyperhidrosis during a median follow-up of 9 months, both were mild (HDSS grade 1). CH developed in 41 patients (56.2%), with all occurring within the first month postoperatively. The most common sites for CH were the back (51.2%), chest (43.9%), thigh (41.5%), abdomen (36.6%), and lower leg (36.6%). The majority of patients with CH (95.1%) reported mild (HDSS grade 1) or moderate (HDSS grade 2) hyperhidrosis. A higher body mass index was a significant risk factor for CH (odds ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.12-1.71 for every 1 kg/m 2 increase).

CONCLUSIONS

This minimally invasive, single-port thoracoscopic laser sympathicotomy appears to be safe and effective for patients with palmar primary hyperhidrosis. Future studies should investigate long-term outcomes and refine the technique to minimize invasiveness even further.

Patient experience and prognostic factors of compensatory hyperhidrosis and recurrence after endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) and recurrence based on an online survey of patients who underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy(ETS) for palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS

We enrolled 231 patients who underwent ETS for palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis from January 2008 to April 2021. Patients responded to an online questionnaire regarding CH and recurrence, their electronic medical records were reviewed. Logistic regression was performed to find the risk factors related to CH and recurrence.

RESULTS

The median time of survey from surgery was 20 months. Although 94% of patients were satisfied with the surgery, 86.1% experienced CH; of them, it was severe in 30.7%. Three months after surgery, there was no long-term change in the severity of CH. The development of CH showed a close relationship with age of 20 years or more (OR: 2.73). Recurrence occurred in 44(19.0%) patients, and the use of anti-adhesive agents was a significant preventive factor against recurrence after ETS (OR: 0.42).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that CH and recurrence after ETS for palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis were relatively common. Age at the time of surgery was associated with CH, and the use of anti-adhesive agents showed to lower the risk of recurrence after ETS.

Thoracoscopic resympathectomy for persistent or recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis: single-center experience

BACKGROUND

In case of recurrence or persistent palmar hyperhidrosis, a sympathetic chain resection is suggested, however, many surgeons are still reluctant to offer further intervention because of the inability to predict the efficacy of such a procedure. We analyzed our large series of resympathectomy.

METHODS

Substantive retrospective analysis of 39 patients underwent a resympathectomy (minimally invasive bilaterally sympathetic chain Th2-3 resection). Patients referred from other hospitals or primarily operated at our institution for recurrence or persistence palmar hyperhidrosis were included in the study group.

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications were detected. Reoperation or chest tube positioning was necessary in 2 patients. Twenty-eight patients had a positive response (excellent or good results). Seven patients described a substantial, but not sufficient, reduction of the symptomatology. Four patients were very unsatisfied and regretted the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Resympathectomy is highly effective procedure for patients who have persistent or recurrent symptoms. However, the indication of the operations should be more dissuasive as possible to avoid the risk of any undesirable psychologically side effects.

[Hyperhidrosis: treatment, results, problems]

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.

Optimal targeting of sympathetic chain levels for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis: an updated systematic review

BACKGROUND

Palmar hyperhidrosis involves excessive sweating of the palms, with no known etiology. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a safe and effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis, but compensatory hyperhidrosis is a common complication after ETS, leading to reduced patient satisfaction and postoperative quality of life. However, the appropriate level of the sympathetic chain to target with ETS to achieve maximum efficacy and reduce the risk of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is controversial. In this systemic review, we investigated the appropriate level of sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS

PRISMA guidelines were implemented to complete a systematic review. We performed a computerized systematic literature search using PubMed and EMBASE from January 1990 to July 2016. We chose the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the methodological index for non-randomized studies tool for examining study bias.

RESULTS

A total of 4075 citations were identified, of which 91 were eligible for inclusion, including 68 observational studies and 23 comparative trials. In observational studies, sympathectomies showed similar efficacies for curing PH at different levels. However, T2-free groups (i.e., at levels T3, T4, or T3-T4 combined) could render a lower risk of Horner's syndrome (0 vs. 1.21 ± 0.49%, p = 0.036) and CH (28.75 ± 7.25 vs. 57.46 ± 3.86, p = 0.002) compared with T2 involved. In comparative trials, there were 12 studies describing the comparison between T2-free ETS and T2 involved, and 9 of 12 (75%) showed T2-free ETS could reduce the incidence of CH. Overall, lowering the level and limiting the extent of sympathectomy could reduce the incidence of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative data from more than 13,000 patients suggest that ETS is a safe, effective, and reproducible procedure with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Currently available evidence suggests that T2-free ETS may reduce the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis without compromising success rates and safety.

Thoracic sympathectomy: a review of current indications

BACKGROUND

Thoracic sympathetic ablation was introduced over a century ago. While some of the early indications have become obsolete, new ones have emerged. Sympathetic ablation is being still performed for some odd indications thus prompting the present study, which reviews the evidence base for current practice.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed using the PubMed/Medline Database, and pertinent articles regarding the indications for thoracic sympathectomy were retrieved and evaluated. Old, historical articles were also reviewed as required.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Currently, thoracic sympathetic ablation is indicated mainly for primary hyperhidrosis, especially affecting the palm, and to a lesser degree, axilla and face, and for facial blushing. Despite modern pharmaceutical, endovascular and surgical treatments, sympathetic ablation has still a place in the treatment of very selected cases of angina, arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. Thoracic sympathetic ablation is indicated in several painful conditions: the early stages of complex regional pain syndrome, erythromelalgia, and some pancreatic and other painful abdominal pathologies. Although ischaemia was historically the major indication for sympathetic ablation, its use has declined to a few selected cases of thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), microemboli, primary Raynaud's phenomenon and Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to collagen diseases, paraneoplastic syndrome, frostbite and vibration syndrome. Thoracic sympathetic ablation for hypertension is obsolete, and direct endovascular renal sympathectomy still requires adequate clinical trials. There are rare publications of sympathetic ablation for primary phobias, but there is no scientific basis to support sympathetic surgery for any psychiatric indication.