THORACOSCOPIC VERSUS OPEN SUPRACLAVICULAR UPPER DORSAL SYMPATHECTOMY - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL

The purpose of the present study was to compare the short term results of the ''open'' supraclavicular approach with the thoracoscopic acces s for T-2-T-4 sympathetic ganglionectomy in patients with palmar hyper hidrosis. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 12 each, and were operated on: one by the open supraclavicular access; the oth er by the transthoracoscopic approach. The effect on palmar perspirati on, operative data, postoperative complications and patients's satisfa ction on short term follow up were examined. All operations achieved d ry hands. Only two significant differences were observed: longer anaes thesia and poorer patient satisfaction in the thoracoscopic group one week after surgery (probably because a higher proportion of cases deve loped prolonged postoperative chest pain). Both techniques similarly a chieve dry hands. The open method is not longer or more difficult, is possibly associated with less morbidity, and gives a higher subjective satisfaction.