Short-term and Intermediate-term Results After Unclipping

Abstract

Endoscopic thoracic sympathetic clamping (ETC) is used to treat patients with primary hyperhidrosis because it offers the potential of a reversal operation (unclipping) when severe reflex sweating (RS) occurs. Although unclipping has been reported to be effective, the short-term or intermediate-term results after unclipping are unclear. From March 2002 to October 2006, 15 (12.9%) out of 116 patients with primary hyperhidrosis, who underwent ETC, had the endoclip(s) removed as a result of RS. Fourteen patients could be followed up for more than 6 months. The patients answered a telephone interview on the severity of RS, the recurrence of the primary site, and their level of satisfaction. There was no mortality or significant morbidity encountered. On the follow-up, 9 (64%) of the 14 patients who underwent unclipping reported symptomatic recovery from RS. Of these 9 patients with early unclipping (within 4 wk after ETC), only 7 (78%) were satisfied with the outcomes. This suggests that early unclipping does not always guarantee satisfactory recovery from RS. Because early unclipping does not guarantee a full recovery in all patients, special consideration in ETC is needed to determine when to remove the clamp and how strongly to apply the clamp to achieve better results.