QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ENDOSCOPIC THORACIC SYMPATHECTOMY FOR PRIMARY PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS

Abstract

Thoracic sympathectomy has proved successful in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. To study the quality of life (QOL) after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) for primary palmar hyperhidrosis, patients who received bilateral ETS in Showa University Hospital were sent a questionnaire regarding long-term outcome, satisfaction, late complications, and side effects of treatment. Results were obtained from 15 patients. Symptomatic improvement was found in 93%. Compensatory hyperhidrosis was found in 93%. Improvement of the QOL was obtained in 80% of the patients. This therapeutic procedure is minimally invasive and very effective. Though there was a high incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis, ETS improved both the symptoms and QOL in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.