Transumbilical thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis: one year follow-up

Objective To summarize the one year follow-up clinical result of patients undergoing endoscopic transumbilical thoracic sympathectomy and to assess the related factors influencing the outcome.Methods A total of 38 patients (17 males,22 females) with a mean age of 22 years old underweut transumbilical thoracic sympathectomy from April 2010 to August 2011.Of these,16 patients suffered concomitant palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis and 22 palmar hyperhydrosis alone.The following parameters were evaluated:clinical improvement,satisfaction,changes in quality of life,and compensatory sweating and gustatory sweating.Results The operation was aceomplished successfully in all 38 patents with a mean operation time of 47 min (40-86 min).35 patients were followed up for 1.0-1.6years (mean 1.2 years).The rate of palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) and axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) resolution was 100％ and 81.3％,respectively,and recurred in 1 patient.Postoperative complications were noticed in 12 patients,including compensatory sweating in 10 cases and pneomothorax in 2 cases.The post-operative pain lasts less than 2 days in all patients.There was no Horner syndrome and no diaphragmatic hernia was observed.Conclusion Endoscopic transumbilical thoracic sympathectomy is a safe and efficacious alternative to the conventional approach. Key words: Gastroscopy; Sympathectomy; Hyperhidrosis; Follow-up studies