Anatomical variations of the thoracic sympathetic ganglions and their effects on sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis

Abstract

Purpose The results and side effects of sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) can vary due to anatomical variations of the sympathetic ganglions. The aim of our study was to clarify anatomical variations of the sympathetic ganglions by near-infrared (NIR) thoracoscopy and determine their effects on sympathicotomy for PPH. Methods The cases of 695 consecutive patients with PPH treated with either R3 or R4 sympathicotomy either by normal thoracoscopy or by NIR fluorescent thoracoscopy between March 2015 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and followed up. Results The variation rate of third and fourth ganglions was 14.7% and 13.3% on the right side and 8.3% and 11.1% on the left side. Real T3 sympathicotomy (RTS3) was more effective than real T4 sympathicotomy (RTS4) in the short-term and long-term follow-up (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). RTS3 was more satisfactory than RTS4 in the long-term follow-up (p = 0.03), but no significant difference was found in the short-term follow-up (p = 0.24). The incidence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) in the areas of the chest and back in the RTS4 group were significantly lower than those in the RTS3 group according to both the short-term results (12.92% vs. 26.19%, p < 0.001; 17.97% vs. 33.33%, p = 0.002, respectively) and the long-term results (19.66% vs. 28.57%, p = 0.017; 21.35% vs. 34.52%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions RTS3 may be more effective than RTS4 for PPH. However, RTS4 appears to be associated with a lower incidence and severity of CH in the areas of the chest and back than RTS3. NIR intraoperative imaging of thoracic sympathetic ganglions may improve the quality of sympathicotomy surgeries.

Changes in electrodermal activity following sympathicotomy in hyperhidrosis patients

“…ETS yields satisfactory results for palmar hyperhidrosis, with most severe hand sweating cases being effectively resolved ( 9 , 10 , 21 , 22 ). However, the ETS procedure is associated with potentially undesirable side effects, particularly compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) ( 23 , 24 ). An expert consensus for the surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis has been published ( 25 ), and Weksler et al reported that R2 sympathicotomy is a suitable surgical option for patients suffering from facial blushing or hyperhidrosis, while R3 sympathicotomy is recommended for palmar hyperhidrosis ( 26 ).…”

Assessing the clinical advantage of opioid-reduced anesthesia in thoracoscopic sympathectomy: A prospective randomized controlled trial

“…Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an important treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis and has the advantages of precise results, minimal trauma, and fast postoperative recovery [10,11] . To test the e cacy of opioid-reduced anesthesia, we aimed to investigate the clinical effects of dezocine combined with dexmedetomidine (DEX) and intercostal nerve block on the possibility that this anesthesia strategy can achieve similar analgesic effects but with fewer adverse reactions when compare to strong opioids.…”