[Craniofacial hyperhidrosis treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility, safety and prospect application value of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy utilized in the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with craniofacial hyperhidrosis underwent sympathectomy from January 2003 to December 2004, including 10 cases combined with palmar hyperhidrosis. There were 17 males and 1 females with a mean age of 36.5 years (ranges, 25-42). Sympathetic chain was transected just below the stellate ganglion in pure craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Additional T(3) sympathectomy was performed in those patients combined with palmar hyperhidrosis.


RESULTS
There were no surgical complication or surgical mortality cases. Seventeen patients achieved improvement of craniofacial hyperhidrosis without recurrent symptoms, but one had partial remission due to thoracic adhesion and false location of the ganglions. The effective rate was 97% (35/36). No recurrent symptoms occurred after a mean of 8.3 months of follow-up. No relapse occurred. Fifteen patients (83%) developed compensatory sweating of the trunk and lower limbs. Six patients (33%) presented palmar dry (severe hypohidrosis) and they all can tolerate the condition. All patients were satisfied with the outcomes of their operations.


CONCLUSIONS
The initial results show that thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis.
Wang
Jun
J
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Center of Thoracic Mini-invasive Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China. jwangmd@yahoo.com
Liu
Yan-guo
YG
Liu
Jun
J
Cui
Jian
J
Zhao
Hui
H
Zhou
Zu-li
ZL
Li
Jian-feng
JF
Jiang
Guan-chao
GC
D000328:Adult; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome