Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.
1999 Sep;32(9):813-817.
Limited Sympathetic Nervelipping of T2 Sympathetic Chain Block for
Essential Hyperhidrosis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery,
Eulji Hospital, Eulji Medical College.
- 2Seiyeon Neuropain Clinic. pms2201@eulji.or.kr
Abstract
-
BACKGROUND: Conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is an
effective method in treating localized hyperhidrosis; however, this may result in a
postoperatively embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis or facial anhidrosis in the
treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. We modified the conventional sympathicotomy by limiting
the extent of nerve transection. The purpose of this study was to assess the result of the
limited thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve transection in hyperhidrosis.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May to August 1998, 17 patients underwent limited transection
of the sympathetic nerve. For 9 patients with facial hyperhidrosis, we transected only
the interganglionic fiber between the first and the second ganglion, whereas the conventional
method cuts two interganglionic fibers. Eight patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent
limited transection of the interganglionic fiber between the second and third ganglion.
RESULT: Sixteen patients had improved symptom postoperatively. There was a recurred facial
sweating in 1 patient 1 month after the operation. Among the 9 facial hyperhidrosis patients,
postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis was severe in 4, moderate in 4 and minimal in 1.
But in 8 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis compensatory hyperhidrosis was moderate in 3,
and minimal in 1, none in 4. Facial sweating was not disturbed postoperatively in all
of the palmar hyperhidrosis patients.
CONCLUSION
Limited sympathetic nerve transection is a practical and less invasive method
for the treatment of localized hyperhidrosis and may reduce the incidence of compensatory
truncal hyperhidrosis and facial anhidrosis in case of palmar hyperhidrosis.