[Hyperhidrosis of the upper extremity: long-term outcome of endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy]

A total of 630 endoscopic thoracal sympathicotomies were performed for hyperhidrosis of the upper limbs, and complications and success rates were analyzed after a median follow-up period of 16 years (83% of patients). In all, 67.8% of patients were fully satisfied, 25.7% were partially satisfied and would again agree to the operation, and 93% the procedure terminated hyperhidrosis permanently. Compensatory and gustatory sweating was observed in 67% und 47% of cases, respectively, impairing the patients satisfaction. Overall success was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the group with axillary hyperhidrosis.