Bilateral thoracic sympathectomy by video surgery. Ten years of experience

Hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive sweating as a response of thermal or emotional stimuli beyond physiological requirements, and it incidence is 2 to 4% of the global population. In spite of there being several kinds of treatment, surgery provides excellent results with low relapse rates. Method: retrospective study of 190 video-assisted thoracic sympathectomies performed from 2003 until 2013, accounting for 95 patients. A survey was conducted through a quality-of-life questionnaire and questions on the severity of symptoms. Results: 58 patients completed the survey (30% men and 70% women) with an average age of 25 years old. 90% were discharged from hospital between 24 and 48 hours after surgery. 72% of patients presented severe hyperhidrosis. Based on the procedure, we may state 2 patients presented recurrence and only one patient declared to be uncomfortable with the hyper-dryness of skin. 80% of patients presented some kind of compensating hyperdidrosis, being the no reason for concern among patients. There were no complications arising from the procedure. As to the quality of life it used to be bad or fair in 90% of patients, and improved in the postoperative period, being it good or very good in 95% of them. 94% of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and its results. As a conclusion, we may sat that bilateral thoracic sympathectomy is a highly safe and effective method to treat hyperhidrosis.