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Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis: experience with both cauterization and clamping methods
Rafael Reisfeld1, Raymond Nguyen, Alon Pnini
1Center for Hyperhidrosis, Beverly Hills Center for Special Surgery, 1125 South Beverly Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA. center@sweaty-palms.com
Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques
|August 24, 2002
Summary
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy effectively treats hyperhidrosis. Clamping offers high patient satisfaction and fewer side effects compared to cauterization, with potential reversibility.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Procedures
- Dermatology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating.
- Sympathectomy is a surgical option for managing hyperhidrosis.
- Different techniques, including cauterization and clamping, have been used.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare the outcomes of sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis using cauterization versus clamping.
- To assess patient satisfaction, symptom recurrence, and adverse events.
Main Methods:
- A review of 1,312 patients who underwent sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.
- Patients were treated with electrocautery, cauterization, or clamping procedures.
- Telephone interviews were conducted to gather data on outcomes and satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Palmar hyperhidrosis was cured in nearly all patients.
- Clamping group showed a 98% satisfaction rate, slightly higher than cauterization groups (94.3%-95.1%).
- Severe compensatory hidrosis was less frequent with clamping (3%) compared to cauterization (<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy with clamping is a safe and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis.
- Clamping demonstrates comparable or superior outcomes to cauterization, with a lower incidence of severe compensatory sweating.
- The potential reversibility of clamping offers an advantage for patient management.