Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis: Report of 35 Cases

Hyperhidrosis is a condition with excessive sweating, which has a strong negative impact on the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial results of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.

From May of 1996 to March of 1998, video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy were performed for 35 hyperhidrosis(23 were males and 12 were females). Age ranged from 14 to 39 years(average 22.1years). The average operation time and hospital stay were 120 minutes and 3.3days respetively.

Immediate and complete relief of symptom were observed in all except 1 patient. There was no mortality or life-threatening complications. Complications included 5 compensatory sweating (14%), 5 pneumothorax(14%), 2 postoperative pain(5.7%) and 1 lung tissue injury(2.9%).

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical method for hyperhidrosis.