Long-term results of 45 thoracoscopic sympathicotomies for primary hyperhidrosis in children

Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in children is associated with high recurrence rates

BACKGROUND

Treatment of palmar and axillary primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) in children up to 16 years using thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is supported by scarce evidence. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the results of our standardized bilateral, one-stage, single-port sympathicotomy (BOSS) in children up to 16 years of age.

METHODS

Consecutive children (n = 14) up to 16 years of age undergoing BOSS between October 2011 and June 2015 in our institution were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Recurrence of primary hyperhidrosis was noted in seven patients (50.0%), of whom five patients (35.7%) underwent reoperation. Reoperations were associated with placement of additional thoracoscopic ports (n = 1; 12.5%), intraoperative placement of pleural drains (n = 2; 25%), and prolonged air leak (n = 1; 12.5%). Despite the high recurrence and reoperation rates, overall patient satisfaction was high with a median satisfaction score of 7.5 (interquartile range of 1.75; range: 4-9).

CONCLUSION

Although the overall patient satisfaction score in our cohort was good, BOSS for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary PFH in children up to 16 years of age is associated with a high recurrence and reoperation rate.

Over a decade of single-center experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a case series

BACKGROUND

Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a severely debilitating condition that can affect patients of any age. We report our experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in a large cohort of children less than 14 years of age.

METHODS

All children who underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis from April 2005 through January 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The procedure entailed bilateral bipolar fulguration of the second and third thoracic ganglia with transverse disruption of collateral nerve fibers along the third and fourth rib. Demographic information, as well as postoperative outcome, complications, and satisfaction were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over the 12 year study interval, a total of 102 children underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for palmar hyperhidrosis. Complete follow-up was available for 98 patients (median age 12 [range 5-14] years; 38 boys [39%]). Median follow-up was 4 [range 2-12] years. Complete palmar dryness was achieved in 93 (95%) cases. One patient suffered postoperative unilateral ptosis, 6 reported gustatory sweating, and 65 experienced compensatory sweating. Average postoperative rating on a 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) rating scale was 9, with 97 (99%) patients saying that they would undergo the procedure again.

CONCLUSION

Our technique of thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in children was associated with very high postoperative satisfaction, despite a high rate of compensatory sweating and occasional autonomic gustatory sweating. Other more severe complications in this age group were rare.

Long-term comparison of video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy and clinical observation for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis in children younger than 14

The results of video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy (VATS)in children are unknown. To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QOL) of a group of 45 children who did and did not undergo VATS for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) 4 years after the initial evaluation. Forty-five children with PH were initially evaluated. Children were divided into two groups: 30 in the VATS group and 15 in the control group. We studied the evolution of PH, negative effect of hyperhidrosis on the QOL before the treatment, and improvement in QOL after treatment. Twenty-five patients (83.4%) in the VATS group experienced great improvement in PH, and five (16.6%) experienced partial improvement; 12 (80.0%) children from the control group had some type of improvement, and three (20.0%) had partial improvement. Two (13.3%) children in the control group and 23 (76.7%) in the VATS group had great improvement in QOL. For children with PH and poor QOL, VATS is better than no treatment. It produces better results with regard to sweating and greater improvement in QOL.

Thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain: an easy and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis in children

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) is an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis. Various surgical approaches are described in the literature. We describe the technique of thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain done exclusively in children younger than 13 years.

METHODS

All patients younger than 13 years who underwent TS from 2006 at a single institution were prospectively identified and fully evaluated with emphasis on demographic data, age, surgical management, complications and follow-up. All patients were contacted again at the end of 2009 to complete a follow-up questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent TS between 2006 and 2009. Age ranged from 6 to 13 years. This involved T2-T3 excision for nine patients with isolated palmar hyperhidrosis, and T2-T3-T4 excision for three with additional axillary hyperhidrosis. Six underwent bilateral TS at the same session and six underwent unilateral TS for the dominant side. Four of them had their contralateral operation performed 2-3 months later. Dry limbs were immediately achieved in all patients. Compensatory sweating (CS) was noted in eight patients. Complications included transient ptosis in two and mild recurrence in one.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain is a simple and safe procedure that relieves hyperhidrosis in all cases and significantly improves the quality of life.

[Hyperhidrosis of childhood and adolescence: clinical aspects and therapeutic options]

Hyperhidrosis is characterized by localized or general excessive sweating which is severe enough to be perceived as pathological. Since excessive sweating often starts in childhood and adolescence, usually in children between 6 and 16 years of age, hyperhidrosis is an important disorder for children and juveniles. This condition causes considerable disruption of both social life and educational career, leading to severe deterioration in the patient's quality of life. In addition, therapy is often challenging since many treatment modalities are not approved for children. Nonetheless, there are still effective therapeutic options for children with hyperhidrosis.

The correlation between the method of sympathetic ablation for palmar hyperhidrosis and the occurrence of compensatory hyperhidrosis: a review

BACKGROUND

Upper dorsal sympathectomy achieves excellent long-term results in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CHH) remains an unexplained sequel of this treatment, attaining in a small percentage of cases disastrous proportions. It has been claimed that lowering the level of sympathectomy (from T2 to T3 and even T4), substituting resection by other means of ablation, and limiting its extend reduce the occurrence of this sequel. This review was designed to evaluate the validity of these claims.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was performed for the years 1990--2006 and all publications about thoracoscopic upper dorsal sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis were retrieved.

RESULTS

The search identified 42 techniques of sympathetic ablation. However, pertinent data for the present study were reported for only 23 techniques with multiple publications found only for 10. The only statistically valid results from this review point that T2 resection and R2 transection of the chain (over the second rib) ensue in less CHH than does electrocoagulation of T2. Further comparisons were probably prevented due to the enormous disparity in the reported results, indicating lack of standardization in definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

The compiled results published so far in the literature do not support the claims that lowering the level of sympathetic ablation, using a method of ablation other than resection, or restricting the extend of sympathetic ablation for primary palmar hyperhidrosis result in less CHH. In the future, standardization of the methods of retrieving and reporting data are necessary to allow such a comparison of data.

Management of primary hyperhidrosis: a summary of the different treatment modalities

Hyperhidrosis is a common and distressing condition involving increased production of sweat. A variety of treatment modalities are used to try to control or reduce sweating. Sweat is secreted by eccrine glands innervated by cholinergic fibers from the sympathetic nervous system. Primary hyperhidrosis most commonly affects palms, axillae and soles. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying condition, and treatment involves the removal or control of this condition. The treatment options for primary hyperhidrosis involve a range of topical or systemic medications, psychotherapy and surgical or non-surgical invasive techniques. Topical antiperspirants are quick and easy to apply but they can cause skin irritation and have a short half life. Systemic medications, in particular anticholinergics, reduce sweating but the dose required to control sweating can cause significant adverse effects, thus, limiting the medications' effectiveness. Iontophoresis is a simple and well tolerated method for the treatment of hyperhidrosis without long-term adverse effects; however, long-term maintenance treatments are required to keep patients symptom free. Botulinum toxin A has emerged as a treatment for hyperhidrosis over the past 5-6 years with studies showing good results. Unfortunately, botulinum toxin A is not a permanent solution, and patients require repeat injections every 6-8 months to maintain benefits. Psychotherapy has been beneficial in a small number of cases. Percutaneous computed tomography-guided phenol sympathicolysis achieved good results but has a high long-term failure rate. Surgery has also been shown to successfully reduce hyperhidrosis but, like other therapies, has several complications and patients need to be informed of these prior to undergoing surgery. The excision of axillary sweat glands can cause unsightly scarring and transthoracic sympathectomy (either open or endoscopic) can be associated with complications of compensatory and gustatory hyperhidrosis, Horner syndrome and neuralgia, some of which patients may find worse than the condition itself.

Effects of endoscopic transthoracic sympathicotomy on hemodynamic and neurohumoral responses to exercise in humans

Endoscopic transthoracic sympathicotomy (ETS) is a minimal invasive procedure of thoracic sympathetic block and has been used successfully in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis. To examine the effect of Th 2-3 ETS on hemodynamic responses to submaximal upright treadmill exercise in humans, cardiac output, plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline at rest and during the last 40s of stage 2 in a modified Bruce protocol were measured before and after ETS in 21 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, rate-pressure product, and noradrenaline decreased at rest and at submaximal exercise after ETS. Cardiac index at rest did not change either before or after ETS, but decreased (8.9 +/- 0.6 vs 6.8 +/- 0.4L x min(-1) m-2; p<0.01, mean +/- SEM) at submaximal exercise after ETS. Stroke index and systemic vascular resistance were similar both at rest and at submaximal exercise before and after ETS. Thus, ETS reduces myocardial oxygen demand and plasma noradrenaline levels both at rest and during exercise without significantly depressing cardiac function in terms of stroke volume.