This report analyzes the initial results of thoracoscopic cervicodorsal sympathectomy. From October 1995 to October 1997, 24 procedures were accomplished in 14 patients. Ten were males and four were females ranging in age from 16 to 56 (mean 30). Surgical indications were: palmar hyperhidrosis in ten, ischemia of the hand in three and causalgia in one. Resection of the sympathetic chain in hyperhidrosis included T2 and T3. In those with ischemia and causalgia the stellate ganglion was also resected. The imediate results of sympathectomy were excellent in twenty-three of the extremities. Only one extremity with hyperhidrosis remained unchanged due to an incomplete procedure. The same technique was used in a later reoperation with good results. There was one case of residual postoperative pneumothorax which recovered spontaneously. Thirteen patients were followed from two to eighteen months (mean 11 months). Mortality was null in this series. The main late complication in patients operated on for hyperhidrosis was compensatory hyperhidrosis which occurred in various degrees in the nine patients followed-up. The latter was significant in 30%. The authors consider this a simple, safe, effective procedure which is more acceptable by patients than conventional surgery.
Cervocothoracic sympathectomy; Thoracoscopy; Thoracoscopic sympathectomy; Palmar hyperhidrosis