Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for children with hyperhidrosis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for children with primary palmar,axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis.Methods From January 2003 to December 2005,60 children (male 31 and female 29,aged from 10 to 15 years with the mean of 14.8 years) with palmar,axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy in this institute.The second or third thoracic sympathetic chains were destroyed by electrocautery.All of patients were followed up. Results No complications were noted in this series.Success rates were palmar 100% (60/60),axillary100% (60/60),and plantar 75% (45/60) of all patients.Four patients experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis,usually affecting the chest,back,buttocks,and thigh.There was no recurrence of palmar,axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis in these patients during followed-up.Conclusions Thracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for children with palmar,axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis.