Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of video assisted endoscopic
thoracic sympathectomy in management of primary hyperhydrosis and to assess the
postoperative morbidity , patient's satisfaction and quality of life .Patients and Methods: The
study comprised 25 patients of primary hyperhydrosis 9 females and 16 males, the mean age
was 26.8
4.1 years. There were 17 patients (68%) presented with palmar–plantar
hyperhydrosis, 2 (8%) with axillary hyperhydrosis, 2 (8%) with craniofacial hyperhydrosis &
4 patients (16%) with combined type. All patients were underwent video-assisted endoscopic
thoracic sympathectomy procedures to treat hyperhydrosis. The extension of resection of
thoracic sympathetic ganglia was according to the type of hyperhydrosis. Operative results,
complications, patient satisfaction as well as the results after the follow up period were
determined to be evaluated. Results: The mean operative time was 47.2
8.9 minutes. The
mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.3
0.8 days. Twenty patients (80%) were discharged
with satisfactory results. 5 patients (20%) developed compensatory hyperhydrosis; 2 (8%) of
them had tolerable compensatory hyperhydrosis and 2 patients (8%) developed unilateral
transient Horner's syndrome. The patients were followed up one year postoperatively. The
quality of life was better or much better in 20 patients (80%), no improvement in 2 patients
(8%) and 3 patients (12%) become worse because nurse and a second operation was done in
2 patient (8%) due to recurrence there was no early or late morality. Conclusion: It could be
concluded that video assisted endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is very effective in the
treatment of primary hyperhydrosis with no mortality, minimal morbidity and durable long–
term effect |
