Transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis:a report of 50 cases

【Objective】To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.【Methods】From May 2003 to May 2008,bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy was performed in 50 cases.Palmar skin temperature was monitored simultaneously during operation and the efficacy was evaluated after operation.【Result】The selective thoracosopic sympathectomy was successfully performed in all the patients.Palmar skin temperature rose with a mean of 2.5 ℃ before sympathectomy and after sympathectomy.Palmar hyperhidrosis vanished in all the patients,and foot and armpit hyperhidrosis disappeared in 25 and alleviated in 2.Compensatory hyperhidrosis was found in 10 cases.All the patients were followed up for 1-2 years(mean,15 months) and no recurrence was found.【Conclusion】Thoracosopic sympathectomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.