[Thoracoscopic sympathectomy to treat palmar hyperhydrosis: anesthetic implications]

Primary hyperhydrosis is a disorder characterized by excessive diffuse or localized sweating. There are several noninvasive therapeutic methods which in general do not solve the problem generating even more anxiety, and time and money wasting for hyperhydrosis patients. Partial thoracic sympathetic chain resection is indicated for palmar hyperhydrosis and may be performed by thoracoscopic surgery with good results and few complications. This review aimed at discussing possible anesthetic techniques for this procedure, as well as possible complications and their management.

It is estimated that the incidence of primary hyperhydrosis varies from 0.6% to 1%, being more frequent in young patients. While in most cases axillary and plantar sweating causes discomfort only, excessive palmar sweating causes social, professional and psychological problems. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy has been performed in several hospitals and is increasing in number. Unless there are specific counterindications, bilateral sympathectomy is performed under general anesthesia through a double or single lumen catheter, with or without intrapleural carbon dioxide inflation. Major postoperative cares are early pneumothorax or residual hemothorax diagnosis, nausea and vomiting prevention and postoperative pain control.

Intrathoracic sympathectomy is an effective method to treat palmar hyperhydrosis and the number of procedures is increasing. The introduction of thoracoscopy has improved the technique, has decreased morbidity, surgery length and hospital stay. Adequate anesthetic management, continuous monitoring and available techniques allow the procedure to be safely performed or that approaches are changed according to clinical observations and patients' responses to dynamic changes induced by surgery and drugs. It is up to the anesthesiology to make judicious and sensible use of available techniques to assure safe procedure and fast recovery with the least possible morbidity.