Quality of life after transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for upper limb hyperhidrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome after transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy (TES) for upper limb hyperhidrosis.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
District general hospital.


METHODS
Consecutive patients undergoing TES for upper limb hyperhidrosis over a fifteen month period.


METHODS
One-stage bilateral TES.


METHODS
Change in quality of life as shown by the Short Form-36 health assessment questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients (11 women and 5 men, median age 26 years) underwent operation without complications. At median follow-up of 6.2 months, symptomatic improvement was found in 26 of 32 limbs treated (82%). Truncal compensatory hyperhidrosis was reported by 13 patients but was severe in only three. There were significant improvements in social function (p = 0.01) and mental health (p = 0.025) as assessed by the SF-36.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a high incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis, TES improved both the symptoms and overall quality of life in patients with upper limb hyperhidrosis.
Sayeed
R A
RA
Department of Vascular Surgery, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire, UK.
Nyamekye
I
I
Ghauri
A S
AS
Poskitt
K R
KR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*