Video-Assisted Bilateral Thoracoscopic Sympathotomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis

In this video, we demonstrate a case of a 21-year-old right-handed man who presented with palmar hyperhidrosis. His symptoms started at the age of 4 years and progressively worsened throughout his life. Multiple medical treatments were used without significant benefit. His symptoms worsened to the limit that it affected his work and lifestyle. The patient was taken to the operating room in a supine position with both arms abducted 90°. The right and left chest were prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. The skin incision was done on the left side first, the left lung was isolated, and two 5-mm thoracoports were placed in the sixth and third intercostal spaces, respectively. Carbon dioxide insufflation was used to a pressure of 6 mm Hg for exposure. The chest was visualized, and the sympathetic chain was identified. Ribs were counted and then cautery at a low setting was used. The sympathetic chain was transected at the level of the head of the second rib. Accessory nerves of Kuntz were identified and resected. Carbon dioxide was then evacuated from the left chest using a bronchial tube exchanger and Valsalva maneuver. The lung was completely reinflated and skin was closed in a normal fashion. The same procedure was repeated on the right side. A chest radiograph was obtained intraoperatively, and no pneumothorax was observed. At the end of the procedure, both upper extremity temperature probes showed a significant increase from baseline. Informed patient consent was obtained.