Advantages of T_(3-4) sympathicotomy performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

Objective To study the effect of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis by T_(3-4) versus T_3 sympathicotomy. Methods The clinical data of 160 cases, whom underwent bilateral sympathicotomy from July 2007 to December 2008, were analyzed retrospectively. 93 cases of them were pferformed VATS T_(3-4) sympathicotomy, 67 cases of them were pferformed VATS T_3 sympathicotomy. All the patients were evaluated by follow-up on the curative effect and occurrence of compensatory sweating. Results Both groups achieved 100% curative effect, no recurrent cases. The incidence of light-moderate compensatory sweating were 16.1% in T_(3-4) group, 15.4% in T_3 group(x~2=0.222,P0.05), no severe compensatory, sweating. The efficiency of plantar hyperhidrosis were 89.4%, 73.1% respectively, there was a significant difference between them (x~2=6.717, P0.05). Conclutions The T_(3-4) sympathicotomy is a reasonable treatment method for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. it could achieve satisfactory effects of palmar hyperhidrosis, and increase the curing efficiency of plantar hyperhidrosis.