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A Prospective Cohort Study on Quality of Life after Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis
B Dharmaraj1, N R Kosai2, H Gendeh3
1Medical Officer, Minimally Invasive and Upper Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia.
Background:
Hyperhidrosis is an excessive sweating disorder affecting quality of life. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), introduced by Kux in 1951, is currently the gold standard surgical treatment for primary hyperhidrosis. 75% of patients with primary hyperhidrosis have seen improvement in quality of life within 30 days after surgery. Compensatory hyperhidrosis and pneumothorax (up to 75%) have been reported in patients after surgery. This study evaluates the functional status, self- esteem, compensatory hyperhidrosis and quality of life among patient with primary hyperhidrosis before and after undergoing ETS.
Method:
Fifty (n=50) patients between the ages 18 to 30, with primary hyperhidrosis were recruited. Patients answered the quality of life questionnaire and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire prior to surgery and 30 days post surgery on follow up. Any post-operative complications were documented. Telephone interviews were held for patients who were unable to attend the clinics for follow-up.
Results:
Forty six patients (92%) had symptomatic relieve within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of compensatory sweating was 78% (39 patients), with 6 patients developing severe hyperhidrosis. Two patients who did not experience symptomatic relieve, developed compensatory hyperhidrosis. Pneumothorax was documented in 8 patients (16%), with 6 patients requiring chest tubes. Significant improvement in quality of life and self-esteem was seen among patients after surgery.
Conclusions:
ETS has shown to significantly improve the quality of life and self-esteem of patients with primary hyperhidrosis within 30 days of surgery. However, the rate of compensatory hyperhidrosis still remains high (78%) which requires a long term evaluation.
