THORACOSCOPIC UPPER THORACIC SYMPATHECTOM Y - A METHOD OF CHOICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS

Palmar hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond physiological needs in the palm without recognized etiology. Although a benign disease, it is annoying to most patients. Currently the bt st treatment for this condition is upper thoracic sympathectomy via many different approache s. The video-thoracoscopic approach has been recommended a a minimally invasive procedure. We report our 1-year experience with transaxillar y endoscopic sympathectomy in 99 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. S tandard video-laparoscopy was used via a transaxillary approach to per form sympathectomy. The mean operating time of this operation was 12 m inutes and mean hospital stay was 32 hours. The results in terms of wa rm and dry hands were excellent. Only one case of transitory Horner sy ndrome was noted. Transaxillary thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis is a relatively simple and effective procedure which ca n be performed with standard laparoscopic instruments. The advantages are, short recovery time and hospital stay along with excellent functi onal and cosmetic results. We are convinced that thoracoscopic sympath ectomy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of palmar hyperhid rosis.