Endoscopic clipping in video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathetic blockade for axillary hyperhidrosis - An analysis of 26 cases

Background: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sym-pathicotomy is the standard method for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. But postoperative compensatory sweating may be troublesome in some patients. Therefore, we use endoclips to perform the T3 and T4 sympathetic blockade instead of permanently interrupting the transmission of nerve impulses from the sympathetic trunk. Methods: Between May 1997 and June 1998, a total of 26 patients with axillary hyperhidrosis underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathetic blocking of the T3 and T4 ganglia at our hospital. There were 10 men and 16 women with a mean age of 31.7 years (range, 16-47). All patients were placed in a semi-sitting position under single-lumen intubated anesthesia. We performed the sympathetic blockade by clipping the T3 and T4 ganglia at the level of the third, fourth, and fifth rib beds using an 8-mm 0 degrees thoracoscope. Results: Bilateral T3 and T4 sympathetic blockade was achieved in all 26 patients. The operation was usually completed within 30 min (range, 20-42). Most patients were discharged within 4 h after the operation. Surgical complications were minimal, with only one case of segmental atelectasis (3.8%). There were no deaths. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 31.3 months (range, 24-37). Twenty-three patients (88.5%) developed compensatory sweating of the trunk and lower limbs. Twenty-four patients (92.3%) were satisfied with the results of the operation. Improvement of axillary hyperhidrosis was obtained in all patients. One patient underwent a reverse operation to remove the endoclips due to intolerable compensatory sweating; improvement was seen 25 days after removal of the clips. Conclusion: Video-assisted thoracoscopic T3 and T4 sympathetic blockade by clipping is a safe and effective method for the treatment of patients with axillary hyperhidrosis. Patients who experience excessive compensatory sweating may require a reverse operation for endoclip removal.