• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.300-301
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• 2003

Two patients with gustatory hyperhidrosis complaining of discomfort during usual activities were relieved of sweating by using anticholinergic benztropine. Herein, we report two cases of gustatory hyperhidrosis treated with benztropine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2008

Background: Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a definitive minimally invasive treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. Different techniques exist for controlling axillary hyperhidrosis, but they are temporary and expensive. We compared the results after using two different levels of sympathicotomy for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: T3-T4 and T4. Material and Method: Between June 2002 and May 2007, 30 patients with isolated axillary hyperhidrosis underwent either T3-T4 or T4 thoracoscopic sympathicotomy in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T3-T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation), and Group II (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation). The procedures were bilateral and simultaneous, involving the use of two 2-mm trocars and a 0-degree 2-mm thoracoscope under general anesthesia with single endotracheal intubation. Outcome parameters included satisfaction rate of treatment, degree of compensatory sweating, and postoperative complications. Patients were interviewed by telephone regarding satisfaction and compensatory hyperhidrosis. Result: There were no differences in age between group I and group II. The mean follow-up for the T3-T4 group was $38.7{\pm}2.3$ months, and the mean follow-up for the T4 group was $18.7{\pm}3.6$ months. The immediate therapeutic success rate (within 2 weeks postoperative) was 100% in both groups, and there were no recurrences in either group during the long-term follow-up period. The satisfaction rate was higher (93.3%) in the T4 group than in the T3-T4 group (53.3%), and the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis was lower in the T4 group (6.7%) than in the T3-T4 group (46.7%). Postoperative complications included one mild pneumothorax and two instances of intercostal neuralgia. Digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) correlated well with postoperative satisfaction. Conclusion: Both techniques proved effective for controlling isolated axillary hyperhidrosis. The T4 group had a higher satisfaction rate and lower severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Hence, thermal ablation of the lower interganglionic fibers of the third thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the fourth rib is a more practical and minimally invasive treatment than is the T3-T4 surgical method, according to the degree of compensatory sweating in isolated axillary hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2002

Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic improvement. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side effects, such as embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the degree of symptomatic improvement or compensatory sweating following sympathicotomy at various levels and the extent of block, we are to determine the optimal level of sympathicotomy and which method will result in minimal side effects and maximal benefits. Material and Method: From January 1998 to June 2001, the thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed in 150 patients suffering from essential hyperhidrosis in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into three groups. GroupI(n=50): patients having undergone 72,3,4 sympathicotomy, GroupII (n=50): patients having undergone 72 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the second rib, and group 111(n=50): patients having undergone 73 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the third rib. The parameters were composed of the satisfaction rate of treatment, the degree of compensatory sweating, postoperative complications, and changes of plantar sweating. Results: There was no difference in age and sex among the groups. All of the treated patients obtained satisfactory alleviation of essential hyperhidrosis in immediate postoperative period. However the rate of long-term satisfaction were 80%, 92%, and 96% in groupsI,II, and III respectively(p<0.05). More than embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis was present in 50%, 28%, and 18% in groups I,II ,and III respectively(p<0.05). Slight but comfortable amounts of palmar humidness was expressed in decreasing order, group III(34%), groupII(6%), and group I(4%) respectively(p<0.05). In regard to plantar sweating, decrease in sweating was expressed in each of the three groups, but was not significant between the groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.598-603
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• 1998

Excessive sweating of the palms, axillae, and face has a strong negative impact on the quality of life for many people. The existing non-operative therapeutic options seldom give sufficient relief and have a transient effect. But a definitive cure can be obtained by upper thoracic sympathectomy. From June 1997 to October 1997, 117 cases of the needle (2 mm) thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomies were performed in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the Respiratory Center Yong-dong Severance Hospital in Seoul, Korea. We have followed up on 94 cases which include palmar hyperhidrosis (n=85), facial hyperhidrosis(n=5) and axillary hyperhidrosis(n=4). There were 42 males and 52 females whose ages ranged from 14 to 63 years(median:23 years). The T2 ganglia and T3-4 ganglia were excised by electrocuting with a hook and endoscissors and were removed for histologic examination. There have been no mortalities or life-threatening complications. The surgical results were classified as excellent(much improvement,very dry) in 93.6%, good(some improvement, minimally wet) in 2.1%, and fair(slight improvement, still wet) in 4.2%. Five patients(5.3%) required closed thoracostomy drainage because of pneumothorax in the immediate postoperative day. Horner's syndrome occurred in one case. The compensatory sweating occurred in 67 cases(71.2%) and was embarrassing in 21 cases(22.3%) and disabling in 9 cases(9.6%) of these cases. Primary failure occurred in one case. The patient with primary failure underwent successful operation. Fifty-one patients had concomitant hyperhidrosis. Our experiences indicate needle thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a very effective, safe, and time- saving procedure for essential hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.8 s.253
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• pp.570-575
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• 2005

Background: Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy plays an important role as an effective method for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. People with axillary hyperhidrosis were not satisfied by the occurrence of the high rate of disabling compensatory hyperhidrosis and axillary resweating. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the clincal results according to the level and extent of sympathicotomy in axillary hyperhidrosis, we aim to determine which method will result in maximal benefits. Material and Method: Among 70 patients suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis having undergone thoracoscopic sympathicotomy from January 2001 through December 2003, 57 patients who responded to either telephone interview or questionnaire were included in the current study. The patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 (n=25): patients having undergone R3, 4, 5 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the third, fourth, and fifth rib, Group 11 (n=32): patients having undergone R3,4 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the third and fourth rib. The study parameters were satisfaction rate and degree of compensatory sweating. Result: There was no difference on age and sex, family history, combined hyperhidrosis, and mean follow up month between the two groups. Patients expressing satisfaction were $88.0\%$ in group and $56.3\%$ in groups 11 with statistically significant difference (p=0.02). Moderate to severe compensatory sweating were $52.0\%$ (embrassing 6 patients, disabling 7 patients) in group 1 and $62.5\%$ (embrassing 5 patients, disabling 15 patients) in groups 11 with no significance in the statistical analysis. Conclusion: R3, 4, 5 sympathicotomy was an effective means of treating axillary hyperhidrosis because of higher long term satisfaction rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.999-1003
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• 1998

Background: Thoracoscopic sympathetic block in palmar hyperhidrosis has merits in its immediate responsiveness and recovery. In palmar hyperhidrosis, the level of sympathetic chain to be blocked has been somewhat obscure. Materials and methods: To compare the results of T2 with T2,3 sympathetic block, we retrospectively studied 192 patients (T2 group: 84, T23 group: 108) operated on at SNUH with palmar hyperhidrosis between April 1994 and July 1997. We reviewed medical records and recently interviewed the patients by telephone call. Sex and age distribution between two groups showed no significant differences. We performed sympathectomy at the early phase of the syudy until April 1997, and after then, we adopted sympathicotomy rather than sympathectomy. Results: All patients showed symptomatic improvement after the operation. Mean operation times of T2, T23 groups were 61.3$\pm$22.5min, 82.7$\pm$24.8min, respectively(p<0.01). Early postoperative complications, such as Horner's syndrome or chest tube insertion, were not different in two groups. There were no statistical differences of late complications such as compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis, gustatory sweating, and phantom sweating. No patient experienced recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis during the study period. The only difference was the extent of compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis. The compensatory sweating occurred from axilla to suprapatella in T2 group whereas its extent was from nipple to suprapatella in T23 group. Conclusions: We concluded that T2 thoracic sympathetic block is mandatory for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.519-524
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• 1998

From January 1996 to December 1996, we performed 137 thoracic sympathetic ganglionectomies with VATs for primary hyperhidrosis in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Anam hospital, Korea university medical center. There were 83 men and 54 women whose ages ranged from 13 to 63 years old(mean age: 25years). Of these patients, 128 patients had complained of palmar hyperhidrosis and 26 of facial hyperhidrosis. Thoracoscopic sympathetic ganglionectomies procedures included lower 1/3 Stellate ganglionectomies in 4 patients; lower 1/3 Stellate ganglionectomies and T2-sympathetic ganglionectomies in 18 patients; T2-sympathetic ganglionectomies in 86 patients; T2 and T3 sympathetic ganglionectomies in 10 patients; and T2, T3 and T4 sympathetic ganglionectomies in 19 patients. The mean operating time was 59 minutes(range: 25 to 162 minutes), and the mean hospital stay was 3.8 days(range: 2 to 8 days). Common complications were compensatory hyperhidrosis(109 patients) and causalgia(18 patients). At the end of the follow-up period(mean: 8 months) ninety-seven percent of the patients reported satisfactory results. Thoracic sympathetic ganglionectomy with VATs is an efficient, safe, and minimally invasive surgical procedure for primary hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.904-905
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• 2000

28세 남자가 4년전 수장부 다한증으로 양측 제 2, 제3흉부교감신경절제술을 받고 난 후 우측 손에 한냉증이 발생하였다. 흉부교감신경절제술 후 발생한 수부 한냉증은 매우 드문 현상이다. 이 증례를 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 1998

Exessive sweating of the palms and soles, is a psychologically and occupationally distressing and sometimes disabling condition. Hyperhidrosis is one of the common abnormalities in autonomic nervous system. There were no specific treatment on hyperhidrosis, so invasive thoracic sympathectomy via axillary thoracotomy or cervical approach had been used. Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is now mostly performed for treating of the palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. From March 1996 to March 1997, 15 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by the bilateral thoracic sympathectomy(T2, T3, T4) with thoracoscopic resection. The patient were evaluated preoperative and postoperative Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) at Kyung-Hee University Hospital. There were no case of the thoracotomy conversion. There were 3 complications ; pulmonary edema in 1 case, Horner's syndrome in 1 case, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1 case. More than half of the patients also had compensatory sweating in the lower abdomen, the buttocks, the back and the thighs. In conclusion, most of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy, including no more palmar and axillary sweating, less pain, better cosmetic appearances, decreased sweating of the face and soles. In addition, intraoperative temperature monitoring of the hands could estimate the successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the preoperative and postoperative Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) could especially be the technique for the objective manifestation of the successful results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.724-729
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• 2002

Although variable surgical methods of sympathetic nerve for palmar hyperhidrosis are curative and safe therapeutic options, they have some limitations such as compensatory sweating and anhidrosis of hand in long term satisfaction rate. Material and Method: Therefore, we tried to decrease severity of compensatory sweating and prevent excessive dryness of hand through selective division of rami communicantes of thoracic sympathetic ganglia distributed to the hands(ramicotomy). Result: In postoperative results, about half of the patients maintained humidity of hands and most of them showed no more than mild degree of compensatory sweating. Conclusion: Therefore, ramicotomy of thoracic sympathetic ganglia can be recommended as selective and physiologic surgical method for palmar hyperhidrosis.