Life quality after video-assisted thoracoscopic thoracic sympathetic chain clipping for patients with isolated primary palmar hyperhidrosis

Abstract EN

Video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy (VATs) is the most frequently used procedure in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis.

The objective of the present study was to assess the life quality of patients before and after VATs clipping using a specific questionnaire.

Methods Between February 2009 and September 2012, 45 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital were administered a disease-specific questionnaire preoperatively and 6 months after VATs clipping of the third and fourth sympathetic chain thoracic segment (T3, 4) under general anesthesia.

Results The mean age of the patients was 27.8 years (range 19–35).

Thirty (66.67 %) patients were female, with a mean age of 27 years (range 19–35).

Fifteen (33.33 %) patients were male, with a mean age of 29.3 years (range 25–34).

Six (13.33 %) patients were obese and consisted of one (2.22 %) male and five (11.11 %) female patients.

All patients were discharged on the second day, except for one who had pneumothorax (fifth day).

There was another patient with pneumothorax (2.22 %), two patients with VATs port infection (4.44 %), and 17 patients with compensatory hyperhidrosis (37.78 %).

All domains of the specific questionnaire reported a statistically significant improvement in each domain separately (P < 0.001) and in the total test score (P < 0.001).

Preoperatively, 15 (33.33%) patients were in very poor (VP) health and 30 (66.67 %) were in poor (P) health.

Postoperatively, the condition of 17 (37.8 %) patients improved considerably (of whom 12 were VP and five were P) and that of 28 (62.2 %) improved but to a less extent (three were VP and 25 were P).

Conclusion VATs is a straightforward, effectual, safe, and sound method for relieving the symptoms of primary palmar hyperhidrosis and improving the quality of life.