Intraoperative prediction of compensatory sweating for thoracic sympathectomy

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative compensatory sweating (PCS) is an important problem impacting on quality of life for patients after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). The present study investigated whether intraoperative palmar temperature and blood flow are useful for assessing PCS after ETS.

Methods: Retrospectively, results were evaluated for ETS in 27 consecutive patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis between 1996 and 2002. For all patients, bilateral nerve conduction to the palms was interrupted. The relationship between the range of PCS and intraoperative changes in palmar temperature and blood flow was investigated.

Results: PCS developed in all cases. After completion of ETS, mean blood flow and temperature increased respectively. Significant correlations were found between the range of PCS and increases in palmar temperature (p<0.05) and blood flow (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Intraoperative monitoring of increases in palmar temperature and blood flow may be useful in patients with primary hyperhidrosis, to predict the range of PCS after ETS.