title: Results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis with respect to compensatory hyperhidrosis and dry hands.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis with respect to operative method, symptom control, patient satisfaction and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of patient records with mail and telephone questionnaire follow-up of 55 patients (15 men) with a median age of 26 years (range, 15-52) who underwent TS between February 1994 and December 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in complication rates between those having bilateral TS (n = 23) and those having unilateral procedures (n = 20) with a median follow-up of 21 months (range, 2-94). Forty-three patients returned questionnaires (response rate, 78%). Forty patients (93%) were satisfied with the results. Thirty-four patients (79%) noted compensatory hyperhidrosis and 22 (51%) excessively dry hands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite high rates of compensatory sweating, the majority of patients are very satisfied with the results. The high rate of excessively dry hands is a previously unreported finding and important to discuss when obtaining consent.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5AN, United Kindgom.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Galland
authors.forename: T C B
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Dehn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome