Retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis: technique and preliminary findings

Evaluation of blood perfusion using laser doppler flowmetry during endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy in patients with plantar hyperhidrosis: a retrospective observational study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether monitoring the changes of skin blood flow may be effective in assessing blood perfusion during endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) in patients with plantar hyperhidrosis. In this study, a total of 30 patients who underwent surgical treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between July 2020 and December 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Sympathetic denervation was performed on the third lumbar ganglion, and intraoperative laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to detect the lumbar sympathetic chain accurately. We observed an abrupt increase of peripheral blood flow after sympathetic denervation, and the median percent changes of perfusion unit were 173.27 (inter-quartile range, IQR 195.48) and 392.98 (IQR 597.27) for the left and right sympathectomies, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of monitoring skin blood flow via LDF during ELS. This result suggests that exact detection of blood flow using LDF is essential for improving the accuracy of ELS by checking the perfusion site on the sole in patients with plantar hyperhidrosis.

Mein einer Fuß ist so warm

Der 51-jährige Patient wurde uns konsiliarisch aus der Klinik für Unfallchirurgie vorgestellt.

Long-Term Efficacy of T3 Versus T3+T4 Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Concurrent Palmar and Plantar Hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND

More than 50% of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis (PAH) also have plantar hyperhidrosis (PLH). We compared the long-term results of T3 sympathectomy with those of combined T3+T4 sympathectomy among patients with concurrent PAH and PLH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with concurrent PAH and PLH who underwent T3 alone or T3+T4 sympathectomy from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. Preoperative and postoperative sweating (hyperhidrosis index) was evaluated through questionnaires, physical examination, and outpatient follow-up. The relief rates and hyperhidrosis index were used as outcome measures to compare the efficacy of the two approaches. Patients' satisfaction and side effects were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 220 eligible patients, 60 underwent T3 sympathectomy (T3 group), and 160 underwent T3+T4 sympathectomy (T3+T4 group). Compared with the T3 group, the T3+T4 group showed higher symptom relief rates both for PAH (98.75% versus 93.33%, P = 0.048) and PLH (65.63% versus 46.67%, P = 0.01), and a greater postoperative decrease in both hyperhidrosis indices. The rate of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis also increased (10% versus 5%, P = 0.197), although the rates of overall satisfaction were comparable between the groups. The incidence of postoperative pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement and postoperative neuralgia was also similar. There were no cases of perioperative death, secondary operation, wound infection, or Horner syndrome in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with T3 alone, T3+T4 sympathectomy achieved a higher symptom relief rate and a lower hyperhidrosis index. T3+T4 sympathectomy may be a choice for the treatment of concurrent PAH and PLH; however, patients need to be informed that this kind of surgery may increase the risk of compensatory sweating.

Severe Plantar Hyperhidrosis: An Effective Surgical Solution

Severe palmoplantar hyperhidrosis both affects activities of daily living and diminishes quality of life. This study evaluated overall safety and efficacy of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) using a clamping method in a large series of consecutive patients. Patient data were routinely entered into a prospectively designed database. Plantar sweating was graded as cured, improved, or unchanged. ELS (using 5-mm titanium clips) was performed in 154 patients, 68.2 per cent at the third lumbar vertebrae and 31.8 per cent at the fourth lumbar vertebrae. Follow-up averaged 15 months and ranged up to 4.7 years. Anhidrosis was achieved in 97.4 per cent of patients with the remainder reporting major reduction in symptoms. All patients were discharged home within 24 hours of surgery, requiring only oral analgesics, if any. There were two surgical complications (lymphatic leak and misidentification of genitofemoral nerve for sympathetic nerve). Six early patients required conversion to an open surgical procedure. Partial recurrence, usually mild, occurred in 4.5 per cent with 2.6 per cent requiring revision surgery. Severe plantar hyperhidrosis can be safely and effectively treated by endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy using the clamping method. It can be accomplished on an outpatient basis with low morbidity, complete resolution of symptoms, and a significant improvement in quality of life.

Sympathetic Outflow Disturbance After Posterior Deformity Correction: A Rare Complication

INTRODUCTION

Sympathetic system injury is a known but rare complication in scoliosis deformity correction. It is not common following posterior correction. We report a case of diastematomyelia with neuromuscular scoliosis with unusual complication of sympathetic outflow disturbance, after posterior instrumented correction.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 13-year-old girl presented with complaints of deformity in the back first noticed 4 years ago. Roentgenogram revealed a right thoracolumbar kyphoscoliotic deformity of 105° with apex at T8 with non-structural lumbar and cervicothoracic curves with positive sagittal alignment. Magnetic resonance imaging showed split-cord malformation with bony crest near the apex of the curve. Detethering followed by removal of the bony crest and restoration of the dual dural sleeves of the split cord into single neural tube was done in the first stage. In the second stage, pedicle screw fixation with was done from D3 to L3. Deformity correction was achieved using multilevel Smith Peterson osteotomy and concave rib osteotomy. On the second postoperative day, intensive care unit staff noticed persistent sinus tachycardia and profuse sweating in both upper limbs, chest, and upper-back. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring did not reveal any abnormality. Patient improved gradually and was discharged on postoperative day 9 when both sinus tachycardia and hyperhidrosis resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

Sympathetic chain disturbances after surgery recover with time. The exact time duration needed for recovery is not yet defined, however. Spine surgeons should be aware of this postsurgical complication and identify it so that management can be initiated. The symptoms may be long and drawn out, thus the roles of communication with and counseling of the patient as cannot be underemphasized.

Interventions for hyperhidrosis in secondary care: a systematic review and value-of-information analysis

BACKGROUND

Hyperhidrosis is uncontrollable excessive sweating that occurs at rest, regardless of temperature. The symptoms of hyperhidrosis can significantly affect quality of life. The management of hyperhidrosis is uncertain and variable.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the expected value of undertaking additional research to determine the most effective interventions for the management of refractory primary hyperhidrosis in secondary care.

METHODS

A systematic review and economic model, including a value-of-information (VOI) analysis. Treatments to be prescribed by dermatologists and minor surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis of the hands, feet and axillae were reviewed; as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is incontestably an end-of-line treatment, it was not reviewed further. Fifteen databases (e.g. CENTRAL, PubMed and PsycINFO), conference proceedings and trial registers were searched from inception to July 2016. Systematic review methods were followed. Pairwise meta-analyses were conducted for comparisons between botulinum toxin (BTX) injections and placebo for axillary hyperhidrosis, but otherwise, owing to evidence limitations, data were synthesised narratively. A decision-analytic model assessed the cost-effectiveness and VOI of five treatments (iontophoresis, medication, BTX, curettage, ETS) in 64 different sequences for axillary hyperhidrosis only.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Fifty studies were included in the effectiveness review: 32 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 17 non-RCTs and one large prospective case series. Most studies were small, rated as having a high risk of bias and poorly reported. The interventions assessed in the review were iontophoresis, BTX, anticholinergic medications, curettage and newer energy-based technologies that damage the sweat gland (e.g. laser, microwave). There is moderate-quality evidence of a large statistically significant effect of BTX on axillary hyperhidrosis symptoms, compared with placebo. There was weak but consistent evidence for iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis. Evidence for other interventions was of low or very low quality. For axillary hyperhidrosis cost-effectiveness results indicated that iontophoresis, BTX, medication, curettage and ETS was the most cost-effective sequence (probability 0.8), with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £9304 per quality-adjusted life-year. Uncertainty associated with study bias was not reflected in the economic results. Patients and clinicians attending an end-of-project workshop were satisfied with the sequence of treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis identified as being cost-effective. All patient advisors considered that the Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index was superior to other tools commonly used in hyperhidrosis research for assessing quality of life.

LIMITATIONS

The evidence for the clinical effectiveness and safety of second-line treatments for primary hyperhidrosis is limited. This meant that there was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions for most interventions assessed and the cost-effectiveness analysis was restricted to hyperhidrosis of the axilla.

FUTURE WORK

Based on anecdotal evidence and inference from evidence for the axillae, participants agreed that a trial of BTX (with anaesthesia) compared with iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis would be most useful. The VOI analysis indicates that further research into the effectiveness of existing medications might be worthwhile, but it is unclear that such trials are of clinical importance. Research that established a robust estimate of the annual incidence of axillary hyperhidrosis in the UK population would reduce the uncertainty in future VOI analyses.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015027803.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the reduction in quality of life (QoL) caused by the persistence of primary plantar hyperhidrosis (PPH) symptoms and the level of satisfaction in PPH patients after retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (RLS). The efficacy, safety, and procedure of bilateral RLS in both sexes are also described in this study.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal study of consecutive patients who sought specific treatment from a private practitioner for severe PPH as classified on the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) from October 2005 to October 2014. The patients were asked to report the symptoms of PPH experienced in the immediate preoperative period and to complete a standardized QoL questionnaire developed by de Campos at least 12 months after RLS. Disease outcomes, recurrence of symptoms, and any adverse effects of surgery were evaluated after 30 days and at least 12 months after RLS.

RESULTS

Lumbar sympathectomy was performed 116 times in 58 patients; 30 days after surgery, PPH was resolved in all patients. Three patients (5.2%) reported transient thigh neuralgia, and 19 (32.7%) reported transient paresthesia in the lower limbs. There were no reports of retrograde ejaculation. At a minimum of 12 months after RLS, 49 of the 58 patients had fully and correctly answered the follow-up questionnaire and noted a mild (HDSS 2) to moderate (HDSS 3) increase in pre-existing compensatory sweating. One patient had a PPH relapse within 6 months. Improvement in QoL due to the resolution of PPH was reported in 98% of the 49 patients. None of the operations necessitated a change in the laparotomy approach, and none of the patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

RLS is safe and effective for the treatment of severe PPH in both sexes. There were no reports of retrograde ejaculation after resection of L3 and L4 ganglia. There was a mild to moderate increase in compensatory sweating in about half of the patients, but without any regret or dissatisfaction for having undergone the surgery because of a significant improvement in QoL.

Management of Plantar Hyperhidrosis with Endoscopic Lumbar Sympathectomy

Primary plantar hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive secretion of the sweat glands of the feet and may lead to significant limitations in private and professional lifestyle and reduction of health-related quality of life. Conservative therapy measures usually fail to provide sufficient relieve of symptoms and do not allow long-lasting elimination of hyperhidrosis. Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy appears to be a safe and effective procedure for eliminating excessive sweating of the feet and improves quality of life of patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis.

Early experience with endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis

OBJECTIVE

We describe our endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy technique and our early experience using it to treat plantar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS

We reviewed 20 lumbar sympathectomies performed in our vascular unit for plantar hyperhidrosis in 10 patients from 2011 and 2014. Demographics and outcomes were analyzed and a review of the literature conducted.

RESULTS

All procedures were carried out endoscopically with no intraoperative or postoperative morbidity. Plantar anhidrosis was achieved in all the patients, although two patients (20%) suffered a relapse. Unwanted side-effects occurred in the form of compensatory sweating in three patients (30%) and post-sympathectomy neuralgia in two patients (20%). None of the patients experienced sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Management of plantar hyperhidrosis may be based upon a therapeutic ladder starting with conservative measures and working up to surgery depending on the severity of the disease. Minimally invasive (endoscopic) sympathectomy for the thoracic chain is well established, but minimally invasive sympathectomy for the lumbar chain is a relatively new technique. Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy provides an effective, minimally invasive method of surgical management, but long-term data are lacking.

Randomized trial - oxybutynin for treatment of persistent plantar hyperhidrosis in women after sympathectomy

OBJECTIVE

Hyperhidrosis is a common disease, and thoracoscopic sympathectomy improves its symptoms in up to 95% of cases. Unfortunately, after surgery, plantar hyperhidrosis may remain in 50% of patients, and compensatory sweating may be observed in 70%. This clinical scenario remains a challenge. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of oxybutynin in the treatment of persistent plantar hyperhidrosis and compensatory sweating and its effects on quality of life in women after thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

METHOD

We conducted a prospective, randomized study to compare the effects of oxybutynin at 10 mg daily and placebo in women with persistent plantar hyperhidrosis. The assessment was performed using a quality-of-life questionnaire for hyperhidrosis and sweating measurement with a device for quantifying transepidermal water loss. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01328015.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included in each group (placebo and oxybutynin). There were no significant differences between the groups prior to treatment. After oxybutynin treatment, there was a decrease in symptoms and clinical improvement based on the quality-of-life questionnaire (before treatment, 40.4 vs. after treatment, 17.5; p=0.001). The placebo group showed modest improvement (p=0.09). The outcomes of the transepidermal water loss measurements in the placebo group showed no differences (p=0.95), whereas the oxybutynin group revealed a significant decrease (p=0.001). The most common side effect was dry mouth (100% in the oxybutynin group vs. 43.8% in the placebo group; p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Oxybutynin was effective in the treatment of persistent plantar hyperhidrosis, resulting in a better quality of life in women who had undergone thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

In the search for the treatment of compensatory sweating

Background. Despite success of thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), there are patients that develop postoperatively intensive sweating of the trunk. The aim of the study was to present outcomes of three of those methods: removal of the clips, clipping of T6-9, and regional abdomino-lumbar iontophoresis (RALI). Methods. Out of the group of 229 patients treated with ETS, there were 9 that requested removal of the clips, 3 were treated with T6-9 video thoracoscopic block, and 5 were treated with RALI. The intensity of the side effect has been evaluated subjectively (with overall and localized perception of intensity of sweating) and objectively (with gravimetry). Results. The removal of the clips resulted in slow (about 12 months) diminishing of the intensity of sweating of the trunk; but the symptom did not disappear to the degree satisfactory for the patients. The T6-9 block resulted in partial and transient diminishing of the symptom. The iontophoresis resulted in very promising short-term results. Conclusion. Removal of the clips from the sympathetic trunk does not provide resolution of compensatory sweating in 1 year of observation. T6-9 block does not provide remedy for compensatory hyperhidrosis. Regional abdomino-lumbar iontophoresis seems to be very promising, but further research and followup are mandatory.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis: current treatment options and a step-by-step approach

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a common disorder for which treatment is often a therapeutic challenge. A systematic review of current literature on the various treatment modalities for primary focal hyperhidrosis was performed and a step-by-step approach for the different types of primary focal hyperhidrosis (axillary, palmar, plantar and craniofacial) was established. Non-surgical treatments (aluminium salts, local and systemic anticholinergics, botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections and iontophoresis) are adequately supported by the current literature. More invasive surgical procedures (suction curettage and sympathetic denervation) have also been extensively investigated, and can offer a more definitive solution for cases of hyperhidrosis that are unresponsive to non-surgical treatments. There is no consensus on specific techniques for sympathetic denervation, and this issue should be further examined by meta-analysis. There are numerous treatment options available to improve the quality of life (QOL) of the hyperhidrosis patient. In practice, however, the challenge for the dermatologist remains to evaluate the severity of hyperhidrosis to achieve the best therapeutic outcome, this can be done most effectively using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS).

Prospective study of percutaneous radiofrequency sympathicolysis in severe hyperhidrosis and facial blushing: efficacy and safety findings

OBJECTIVE

Hyperhidrosis (Hh) and facial blushing (Fb) are conditions caused by hyperactivity of the sympathetic system; they affect around 2% of the population. Severe cases have been typically treated with thoracic sympathectomy through a minimally invasive approach. We sought to determine if severe Hh and/or Fb patients, who are reluctant to go through an operation with general anaesthesia, could benefit from receiving percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the sympathetic chain.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data obtained from May 2007 to May 2010 were analysed to compare the treatment efficacy and effects on quality of life of the two procedures.

RESULTS

From a total of 58 patients enrolled in the study, 31 were treated with radiofrequency procedures, whereas 27 received surgical sympathectomy. Patients with Hh had better results with surgery than with radiofrequency sympathicolysis in terms of efficacy (p=0.0001) and quality of life (p=0.0002). However, there was still a significant improvement in quality of life in the group of patients treated with radiofrequency sympathicolysis (p=0.004). Patients with Fb had good results with surgical procedures and poor outcomes with radiofrequency ablation, resulting in significant differences in treatment efficacy (p=0.005) and in quality of life (p=0.003). Fb patients treated with radiofrequency procedures had no improvement in quality of life after the intervention (p=0.28).

CONCLUSION

Our results support the view of surgical sympathectomy as the gold-standard treatment in severe cases of Hh and Fb. Radiofrequency sympathicolysis is useful as a second-treatment choice for Hh patients. Fb patients do not benefit from radiofrequency sympathicolysis.

Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy following thoracic sympathectomy in patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND

Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is a common disease that leads to significant psychosocial strain for the affected person. Although the treatment of palmar symptoms with endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is clinically established, there are few data on the efficacy of an endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) for the elimination of plantar symptoms. Especially the occurrence of unwanted side effects associated with sequential ETS and ELS has not been examined sufficiently.

METHODS

The study includes 130 patients, 8 men and 122 women, with severe palmoplantar hyperhidrosis who were already previously treated with ETS. An average of 28 months after the ETS, bilateral ELS was performed on all patients due to persistent severe plantar hyperhidrosis. After ELS the perioperative morbidity, elimination rate of the plantar hyperhidrosis, the frequency of unwanted side effects, and satisfaction with the result were evaluated. Follow-up examinations were carried out on 96 patients (74%) with a mean follow-up of 37 months (3-90 months).

RESULTS

A total of 260 lumbar sympathectomies were successfully carried out endoscopically. Mortality was zero, intraoperative complications occurred in three (2.3%) patients and postoperative complications in six (4.6%). Plantar hyperhidrosis was eliminated in 93 patients (97%), 3 (3%) patients developed a one-sided recurrence. Seven patients (7%) developed minor compensatory sweating, and in 17 patients (18%) compensatory sweating that existed before the ELS was slightly increased. Transient postsympathectomy neuralgia was observed in 18 patients (19%), and none of the patients showed a sexual function disorder. Altogether, 77 patients (80%) were very satisfied with the postoperative result, and 16 (17%) were partially satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The sesequential performance of ELS after ETS appears to be a safe, effective therapy option for patients with severe palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. However, more experience with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up investigations are necessary to confirm the safety of four-limb sympathectomy.

The effect of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the fourth rib (r4) for the treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis

Background

Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy plays an important for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis. Patients are usually satisfied with the surgical outcome at the early post-operative period, but suffer recurrence and compensatory sweating in the late post-operative period. There are many sympathicotomy methods to minimize recurrence and compensatory sweating. We compared the outcome of sympathicotomy methods above the third rib (R3) and the fourth rib (R4) with regards to symptoms, satisfaction, recurrence, and compensatory palmar and axillary hyperhydrosis.

Materials and Methods

From January 1999 to April 2009, 39 cases of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the third rib (R3), and 94 cases of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the fourth rib (R4) for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis were compared for early and late post-operative satisfaction, compensatory sweating and recurrence.

Results

There was no sex or age difference between groups. Early satisfaction was 94.9% and 98.9% in the R3 group and R4 group, respectively. There was no difference in early satisfaction (94.9% in R3 and 98.9% in R4), late satisfaction (84.6% in R3 and 89.4% in R4), or recurrence (17.9% in R3 and 17.0% in R4) between groups. There was significant difference in compensatory sweating (71.8% in R3 and 33% in R4, p=0.002).

Conclusion

R4 sympathicotomy demonstrated superior efficacy in the treatment of compensatory sweating compared to R3 in palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis.

Approach-related lesions of the sympathetic chain in anterior correction and instrumentation of idiopathic scoliosis

During anterior scoliosis instrumentation with a dual-rod system, the vertebrae are dissected anterolaterally. After surgery, some patients report a change in temperature perception and perspiration in the lower extremities. Sympathetic lesions might be an explanation for this. The aim of this clinical study was to investigate sympathetic function after anterior scoliosis instrumentation. A total of 24 female patients with idiopathic scoliosis (mean age at follow-up, 23.8 years) who had undergone anterior instrumentation on average 6.6 years earlier were included. Due to the suspected relevance of the sympathetic L2 ganglion, two groups were created: a T12 group, in which instrumentation down to T12 was carried out (n = 12), and an L3 group, in which instrumentation down to L3 was done (n = 12). Sympathetic function was assessed by measuring skin temperature at the back of the foot, a plantar ninhydrin sweat test and sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) following electrical stimulation. The side on which the surgical approach was carried out was compared with the contralateral, control side. Health-related quality of life was investigated using the Scoliosis Research Society SRS-22 patient questionnaire. In the T12 group, mean temperatures of 29.6 degrees C on the side of the approach versus 29.5 degrees C on the control side were measured (P > 0.05); in the L3 group, the mean temperatures were 33.2 degrees C on the approach side versus 30.5 degrees C on the control side (P = 0.001). A significant difference between the T12 group and the L3 group (P < 0.001) was observed on the approach side, but not on the control side (P = 0.15). The ninhydrin sweat test showed reduced perspiration in 11 of 12 patients in the L3 group on the approach side in comparison with the control side (P = 0.002). In the T12 group, no significant differences were noted between the left and right feet. SSRs differed significantly between the two groups (P = 0.005). They were detected in all nine analyzable patients in the T12 group on both sides. In the L3 group, they were found on the approach side only in 4 of 11 analyzable patients versus 11 patients on the control side. The results of the SRS-22 questionnaire did not show any significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, anterior scoliosis instrumentation with a dual-rod system including vertebrae down to L3 regularly leads to lesions in the sympathetic trunk. These are detectable with an increase in temperature, reduced perspiration and reduced SSRs. The caudal level of instrumentation (T12 vs. L3) has an impact on the extent of impairment, supporting the suspected importance of the L2 ganglion. The clinical outcome does not seem to be significantly limited by sympathetic trunk lesions.

Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis.

Methods

A total of 178 endoscopic resections of the lower sympathetic lumbar trunk were carried out in 90 patients (59 men, 31 women) with severe plantar hyperhidrosis. The clinical results, including morbidity and satisfaction rates, were evaluated. Follow-up examination was carried out for all patients after a mean follow-up of 24 (range 3–45) months.

Results

All procedures were carried out endoscopically. There were no deaths and only three patients had a postoperative complication. All patients had evidence of postoperative sympathetic denervation of the feet. In 87 patients (97 per cent) hyperhidrosis was eliminated, but in three (3 per cent) it recurred. Compensatory sweating occurred in 40 patients (44 per cent), postsympathectomy neuralgia in 38 (42 per cent) and one man suffered temporary loss of ejaculation. A total of 86 patients (96 per cent) were very, or partly, satisfied with the result, and 83 (92 per cent) would have the procedure repeated if required.

Conclusion

Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was a safe and effective option for patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin: a treatment for compensatory hyperhidrosis in the trunk

BACKGROUND

Severe compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) in the trunk occurs after sympathectomy in some patients. Limited treatment options for these cases have been proposed, and the overall results have been disappointing, but injection of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) is an emerging, reliable treatment method for focal hyperhidrosis.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of BTX-A injection for severe truncal sweating in CH patients who were refractory to conventional treatment.

METHODS

Seventeen patients were injected with 100 to 500 U of BTX-A in the truncal area. After the follow-up period, the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) for efficacy and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were measured for improvement in patients' quality of life.

RESULTS

The baseline mean HDSS score+/-standard deviation was 3.6+/-0.5, and the sweating resolved within 5 days. The effect was sustained for 2 to 8 months (4.1+/-1.5 months) and the baseline DLQI score of 9.4+/-2.0 fell to 2.8+/-1.0. No serious side effects or adverse events resulted from the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

BTX-A injection was a well-tolerated, effective, and safe method for treating severe truncal CH, although the considerable cost and limited duration of the treatment effects were major disadvantages.

Influence of T3 or T4 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the T3 or T4 level in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS

Patients were operated on for palmar hyperhidrosis from April 2004 to December 2007, and classified as the T3 (n = 56) or T4 (n = 63) sympathicotomy group.

RESULTS

The rate of dryness and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) was significantly lower in the T4 sympathicotomy group than the T3 group (P < .01). Satisfaction rate, recurrence, and improvement of plantar sweating were of no statistical significance in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both sympathicotomies were effective, safe, and minimally invasive methods for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, T4 appeared to be a more optimal technique with less CH.

Diretrizes para a prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento da hiperidrose compensatória

Com o objetivo de se estabelecer diretrizes para a prevenção, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da hiperidrose compensatória, foram realizadas reuniões consensuais com a participação de cirurgiões torácicos filiados à Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica e um cirurgião geral em que foram abordados tópicos de modo a abranger conhecimentos multidisciplinares. A partir de textos recentes com diretrizes para a prevenção, o diagnóstico e tratamento (clínico e cirúrgico) da hiperidrose compensatória, e baseados em revisão bibliográfica, os participantes elaboraram um texto preliminar, cujas recomendações foram submetidas à aprovação dos participantes, possibilitando uma revisão geral do texto final. Deste modo, obteve-se um texto básico que, veiculado pela internet, tornou-se objeto de novas correções e revisões até alcançar a forma final atual.

Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for women: effect on compensatory sweat

INTRODUCTION

Plantar hyperhidrosis is present in 50% of patients with hyperhidrosis. Thoracic sympathectomy is an important tool for the treatment of this condition, which is successful in about 60% of patients. For the remaining patients, lumbar sympathectomy is the procedure of choice. As new minimally invasive techniques have been developed, a significant demand for this type of access has led to its adaptation to the lumbar sympathectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic retroperitoneal lumbar sympathectomy in controlling plantar hyperhidrosis and its effects on compensatory sweat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty female patients with persistent plantar hyperhidrosis after thoracic sympathectomy were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to laparoscopic retroperitoneal lumbar sympathectomy (Group A) or no surgical intervention (Group B - control) groups. Quality-of-life modifications were assessed by specific questionnaires before and after surgery. In the same manner, direct sweat measurements were also performed pre- and post-intervention by evaluating trans-epidermal water loss. Despite the lack of intervention, the control group was evaluated at similar timepoints.

RESULTS

In Group A, no major complications occurred in the peri-operative period. During the immediate post-operative period, three patients (20%) experienced prolonged pain (more than ten days). Eight patients suffered from worsened compensatory sweating (53.3%). In Group A, after lumbar sympathectomy, the quality of life significantly improved (p<0.05, intra-group comparison) beyond that of the control group (p<0.05, inter-group comparison). Also, lumbar sympathectomy resulted in significantly lower values of foot sweat (pre- vs. post-operative periods, p<0.05; Group A vs. Group B, p<0.05). These patients also developed higher values of sweat measurements on specific points of their dorsal and abdominal regions after the procedure (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic retroperitoneal lumbar sympathectomy diminishes plantar sweat and improves the quality of life of women with plantar hyperhidrosis. However, about half of the patients develop increased compensatory hyperhidrosis in other areas of the body.