• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2008

Background: Thoracoscopic R3 sympathicotomy can effectively treat palmar hyperhidrosis. Here, we evaluated post-operative outcomes of patients receiving a thoracoscopic R3 sympathicotomy due to palmar hyperhidrosis. Material and Method: From January 2001 to December 2006, 225 patients were treated with a R3 sympathicotomy, and follow up was completed for 200 patients, with an average follow up period of 51.7 ($11{\sim}80$) months. We measured postoperative hand sweating according to four grades; dry (grade 1), proper (grade 2), light sweating (grade 3), heavy sweating (grade 4) and evaluated patient satisfaction using 4 grades: very good (grade 0), good (grade1), regular (grade 2), and deficient (grade 3). Result: There were no differences in clinical parameters between the compensatory sweating group and the non-compensatory sweating group. There was a 83.5% compensatory sweating rate. The degree of compensatory sweating related to the patient's body mass index and was influenced by the season, environmental temperature, and emotional stress. Conclusion: The satisfaction rate was 61.5%, and the degree of satisfaction related to the development of compensatory sweating. Therefore, reducing compensatory sweating would increase patient satisfaction with R3 sympathicotomies.

• 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.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.36 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2003

Background: Although ramicotomy (division of the rami communicantes of the thoracic sympathetic ganglia) is a selective and physiological surgical method for essential hyperhidrosis, it has some problems such as higher recurrence rates and the different surgical results among the patients and between left and right sides in the same individual. As one of the factors that are related to the differences in surgical result and recurrences, we investigated the anatomical variations of the rami communicantes. The purpose of this study is to help develop new surgical methods to decrease surgical differences among the patients or between the left and right sides of the same individual and recurrence rates in the clinical application of ramicotomy. Material and Method: We dissected 118 thoracic sympathetic chains in 59 adult Korean cadavers (male: 33, female: 26) to examine the anatomical variations of the rami communicantes from the second to the fourth thoracic sympathetic ganglia that have major components innervating to the hands. After the dissection of bilateral thoracic sympathetic chains, we compared the anatomy of left and right sides and examined the anatomical variations of rami communicantes. Result: The number and variation of communicating rami connecting the spinal nerves and the second sympathetic thoracic ganglion were much larger than lower levels. There was considerably less variability in the anatomy of the rami communicantes at successive levels. Among the 59 cadavers dissected, only 14.3% (9/59) had similar anatomy of thoracic sympathetic chains at both sides. As the components related to the essential palmar hyperhidrosis, intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz from the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion to the first intercostal nerve or brachial plexus were observed in 55.9% (66/118). The incidence of descending rami communicates from the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion to the third intercostal nerve and from the third thoracic sympathetic ganglion to the fourth intercostal nerve were 49.2% (58/118) and 28.0% (33/118). And the incidence of ascending rami communicates from the third thoracic sympathetic ganglion to the second intercostal nerve and from the fourth thoracic sympathetic ganglion to the third intercostal nerve were 6.8% (8/118) and 3.4% (4/118), respectively. Conclusion: Based on the various anatomical evidences of the rami communicantes from this study, only the ramicotomy at the third sympathetic ganglion level is insufficient for the treatment of the essential palmar hyperhidrosis to decrease the difference of surgical results and recurrences. When one is planning to perform the ramicotomy for the essential palmar hyperhidrosis, it is advantageous to divide the intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz on the second rib and the descending or ascending rami communicantes on the third and the fourth ribs as well as all the communicating rami from the third sympathetic ganglion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1212-1216
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• 1998

Background: Recently thoracoscopic surgery is widely applied in thoracic surgical field and hyperhidrosis is one of the most frequently operated diseases. Material and Method: From June 1997 to February 1998, 30 patients with hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral thoracic sympathectomy under thoracoscopy at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital. There were 10 males and 20 females whose mean age was 22.42±6.84 years ranging from 17 to 51. All patients underwent bilateral thoracic sympathectomy under semi-sitting position and two 5 mm sized trocars were inserted. Result: Mean operation time was 52.32±11.72 minutes and the mean elevation of palmar temperature after sympathectomy was 2.17±0.47℃. Eighteen patients(60%) complained compensatory hyperhidrosis. All patients except one were able to discharge at the operation day or postoperative one day. There were no recurrence during follow up from 2 to 8 months(mean 5.30±2.17 months). Conclusion: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is simple and effective technique in hyperhidrosis and widely applied indication will be necessary. We conclude that further discussion should be made about the resection area and method to get maximal effect and minimal side effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.745-748
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• 1999

Background: A definitive cure for an essential hyperhidrosis can be obtained by an upper thoracic sympathectomy. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a compensatory hyper hidrosis as a side effect and it is irreversible. We performed a thoracoscopic sympathetic chain block using an endoscopic clip in order to avoid the compensatory hyperhidrosis. Material and Method: From Aug. 1998 to Nov. 1998, 42 cases of thoracoscopic clipping of the T2 sympathetic chain were performed. The sympathetic chain was clipped using an endoscopic clip instead of cutting. Result: Bilateral procedure took less than 40 minutes and occasionally necessitated one night in the hospital. There were no mortality nor life- threatening complications. Horners syndrome occurred in two cases. At the end of postoperative follow-up(median 3 months), 95.0% of the patients were satisfied with the results. Compensatory sweating occurred in 31 cases(77.5%) where nine of those cases were classified as either embarrassing(6 cases-15.0%) or disabling(3 cases-7.5%). Conclusion: Endoscopic thoracic T2 sympathetic chain block using endoscopic clipping is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of palmar and craniofacial hyperhidrosis and the results were similar to those underwent T2 sympathicotomy. We recommend that patients receive endoscopic sympathetic chain block in summer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.171-174
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• 1999

Background: Hyperhidrosis of the palms, axillae and face has a strong negative impact on social and professional life. The present existing non-operative therapeutic options seldom give sufficient relief and have a transient effect. A definitive cure can be obtained by upper thoracic sympathectomy. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side effects, such as embarrassing compensatory sweating. Material and Method: From Sep. 1997 to Feb. 1998, 89 cases of the needle(2 mm) thoracoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy were performed. The second thoracic ganglion was resected by cutting with a endoscissors. Result: A bilateral procedure takes less than 25 min and requires just one night in hospital. There have been no mortality or life-threatening complications. One patient(<2%) required intercostal drainage because of pneumothorax. Primary failure occurred in one cases(<2%) and recurrent hyperhidrosis occurred in no cases. The patients with failure was successfully re-sympathicotomy. At the end of postoperative follow-up(median 3 months), 96.6% of the patients were satisfied. Compensatory sweating occurred in 57 cases(64.0%) with fourteen of those cases classified as either embarrassing in 10 cases(11.2%) or disabling in 4 cases(4.5%). Conclusion: Endoscopic transthoracic sympathicotomy is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of palmar and craniofacial 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.37 no.7
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• pp.591-596
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• 2004

Recently, thoracic sympathicotomy for craniofacial hyperhidrosis (FH) is increasingly avoided contrast to palmar hyperhidrosis. We recently demonstrated that selective T2 sympathicotomy for FH in woman might be recommended because of differences of the postoperative satisfaction between man and woman. Therefore, this study was designed to analyze the postoperative long term results, evaluate the effectiveness of T2 sympathicotomy and establish the new strategy in treatment of FH in woman. Material and Method: From May 1998 to July 2001, 27 cases of FH in woman that were performed T2 sympathicotomy and minimum 2 years have passed since then at the follow up period. Among them, 20 cases were evaluated by telephone review and medical record. Bilateral sympathetic trunks were severed on the 2nd rib with 2mm thoracoscopic instruments. 7 patients combined with gustatory sweating (GS). Ages ranged from 25 to 62 (mean age, 46.4 years). Result: All patients were relieved of symptom immediately after operation. At postoperative 1 week, all patients were satisfied: 15 patients, “very satisfaction” and 5 patients, “relatively satisfaction”. However, during long term follow up period (from 25 to 63 months postoperatively), 9 patients (45%) were relatively satisfied, 8 patients (40%) complained that there was no difference of postoperative satisfaction and 3 patients (15%) complained of non satisfactory results (regret for surgery). 16 patients (80%) had complaint of uncomfortable feeling because of postoperative GS. Some degree of compensatory sweating (CS) had occurred in all patients: severe 10 patients (50%), severe but acceptable 6 patients (30%), and just conventional 4 patients (20%). The sites of CS were trunk, back, axilla and extremities. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic T2 sympathicotomy is relatively considerable method for FH in woman and the postoperative satisfaction depends on GS and the degree of individual adaptation for CS. Therefore, it is required that the prediction of preoperative risk factors for GS and CS and then careful selection of patients to increase the postoperative satisfaction, and the development of acceptable new treatment modalities.