M. Noppen et al., THORACOSCOPIC T2-T3 SYMPATHICOLYSIS FOR ESSENTIAL HYPERHIDROSIS IN CHILDHOOD - EFFECTS ON PULMONARY-FUNCTION, Pediatric pulmonology, 26(4), 1998, pp. 262-264
Thoracoscopic T2-T3 sympathicolysis (TS) is a minimally invasive treat
ment for patients suffering from severe, refractory essential hyperhid
rosis (EH). TS has previously been shown to be safe and efficacious in
children. In order to examine the effects of TS on respiratory functi
on, pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed prior to and 6 weeks
and 6 months after TS in 12 children with EH (3 boys; mean age 12.8 /- 2.5 years). Small asymptomatic decreases in forced expiratory volum
e in one second (FEV1; -2%), forced expiratory flow after expiration o
f 75% of vital capacity (FEF75; -9.6%), total lung capacity (TLC; -1%)
, transfer factor for diffusion of carbon monoxide (T-LCO; -7.6%), and
transfer coefficient for diffusion of carbon monoxide (K-CO; -1.5%) w
ere observed 6 weeks after TS. These changes are comparable to those o
bserved in adults but did not reach statistical significance in small
children. In line with observations in adults, TLC (and T-L,T-CO) retu
rned to baseline values 6 months after TS, whereas FEV1, FEF75, and K-
CO remained at their 6-week level. In conclusion, TS causes only small
, statistically insignificant, and asymptomatic decreases in pulmonary
function in children. TS can, therefore, be considered a safe treatme
nt option in children suffering from severe, refractory EH. Pediatr Pu
lmonol, 1998; 26:262-264, (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.