2004 Volume 11 Issue 4 Pages 460-463
Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a condition that can be defined as excessive perspiration beyond physiological needs, and the majority of sufferers notice their symptoms in early childhood. We examined the long-term outcome of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis in children. Between 1994 and 2002, a total of 35 children aged 9 to 15 years with severe palmar hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy on the 2nd and/or 3rd rib beds. A total of 24 patients (16 females and 8 males) were followed by postal questionnaire. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 12 to 71 months. No perioperative complications such as pneumothorax, wound infection, hypesthesia, bleeding, or Horner's syndrome were encountered. Three patients had recurrence during the follow-up period because of incomplete resection due to anatomical difficulties. Twenty-one patients (87.5%) noted improvement of palmar hyperhidrosis and 22 patients (91.7%) had postoperative compensatory sweating. Nineteen patients (79.2%) were satisfied after the operation because of the improvement of the inconvenience in their school life. In conclusion, early surgical treatment for severe hyperhidrosis can improve social development and scholastic achievement in childhood. However, recurrence and compensatory sweating restricted postoperative satisfaction. Intensive preoperative patients and parent information, long-term follow-up, and reconsideration of surgical technique to avoid postoperative recurrence is needed.
