Quality of life after transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for upper limb hyperhidrosis

Abstract

To assess the outcome after transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy (TES) for upper limb hyperhidrosis. Prospective cohort study. District general hospital. Consecutive patients undergoing TES for upper limb hyperhidrosis over a fifteen month period. One-stage bilateral TES. Change in quality of life as shown by the Short Form-36 health assessment questionnaire. Sixteen patients (11 women and 5 men, median age 26 years) underwent operation without complications. At median follow-up of 6.2 months, symptomatic improvement was found in 26 of 32 limbs treated (82%). Truncal compensatory hyperhidrosis was reported by 13 patients but was severe in only three. There were significant improvements in social function (p = 0.01) and mental health (p = 0.025) as assessed by the SF-36. Despite a high incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis, TES improved both the symptoms and overall quality of life in patients with upper limb hyperhidrosis.