title: Quality of life after transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for upper limb hyperhidrosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sayeed
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nyamekye
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ghauri
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Poskitt
mesh_terms: 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*