title: Transaxillary endoscopic laser sympathectomy.
abstract: The authors describe a technique of achieving sympathetic denervation of the upper limbs in a 20-year-old woman with hyperhidrosis. A thoracoscope was inserted through a short incision in the axilla. A fibreoptic wave guide was passed through the thoracoscope to allow photocoagulation of the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion by Nd:YAG laser irradiation. The procedure was well tolerated and subsequent scar formation was unobtrusive.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University Clinic, Hamilton General Hospital, Ont.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doobay
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schatz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic; D015171:Ganglionectomy; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008028:Light Coagulation; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy