Severe pompholyx following endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has become the preferred method for treating intractable palmar hyperhidrosis because of its simplicity, though various complications have been reported. We report two patients suffered from severe palmar pompholyx-like eczema following this procedure. One was successfully treated with topical and oral steroids, however, the other had a wavelike continuation of eczema disturbing her daily activities. We recommend that every sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis should be performed after receiving informed consent to the possibility of even minor complications such as acute pompholyx that could negatively affect postoperative quality of life. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.