Thoracoscopic Sympathicotomy vs Sympathectomy in Primary Hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND Primary hyperhidrosis (P.H.H.) is characterized by excessive sweating in certain parts of body. It's estimated prevalence is 0%-6.1% in different populations. In Asian population its prevalence is around 3%. In 57% of cases, there is a positive family history. OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare the early and late satisfaction, outcomes and complications of thoracoscopic sympathectomy and sympathicotomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS From April 2007 to January 2011, we prospectively treated 60 primary hyperhidrosis patients via thoracoscopic surgery. The first 30 patients underwent sympathectomy and the next 30 patients underwent sympathicotomy. We evaluated early and late satisfactions, outcomes and complications on the first visit (5-8days) following surgery and 12 months after surgery, for all patients. RESULTS The mean operative time was 66.3 minutes in sympathicotomy group and 110.8 minutes in sympathectomy group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall early and late satisfaction, gustatory sweating, pompholyx and post-operative pain. There was comparatively less early and late compensatory sweating (C.S.), and other adverse influences of C.S. in the sympathicotomy group. CONCLUSIONS Because of shorter operative time, less C.S. and less adverse influence of C.S., sympathicotomy seems a better treatment for primary hyperhidrosis, compared with sympathectomy.