Uniportal endoscopic superior thoracic sympathectomy

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Dermatological surgery

Background:

• Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a condition causing excessive sweating in the hands.
• Surgical intervention, specifically sympathectomy, is an option for severe cases.
• Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has emerged as a less invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of upper thoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis.
• To present the surgical experience and outcomes in a cohort of patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 100 patients (46 female, 54 male) who underwent bilateral uniportal endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
• Patient age ranged from 12 to 54 years (mean 23.4).
• Procedure involved sympathectomy on both sides in a single stage.

Main Results:

• The procedure was completed within 30 minutes for all patients.
• 96% of patients experienced an uneventful recovery and were discharged the next day.
• 96% reported complete satisfaction with immediate and permanent relief of palmar sweating.
• The main complication was compensatory hyperhidrosis, which was mild in most cases (8% considered it bothersome).
• No mortality was recorded.
• Recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis occurred in 5% of patients.

Conclusions:

• Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis.
• This method offers shorter operation times, fewer hospital days, and better cosmetic results compared to open approaches.