Comparison of Treatment Results and Satisfaction Levels of Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy Techniques Performed in Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis

Abstract

Aim:This study aims to investigate whether the cauterization or clipping techniques performed in endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery (ETS) in a tertiary center differ in terms of postoperative results and satisfaction level and to compare the results according to the surgical methods performed.Methods:In the study, the data of 94 cases treated with ETS due to primary focal hyperhidrosis in a thoracic surgery clinic between 2015 and 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients consisted of two different surgical groups. The cauterization method was performed on 56 (59.6%) of the patients whereas the clipping was performed on 38 (40.4%) of them. The patients were compared in terms of recurrence, reflex sweating, and satisfaction, as well as demographic characteristics.Results:As a result of the Univariate Logistic Regression Analysis, it was found that the increase in age among all cases increased the risk of dissatisfaction with the treatment [odds ratio (OR): 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.20, p=0.005] whereas the cauterization method (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.77, p=0.015), absence of recurrence (OR: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-0.12, p<0.001), and absence of reflex sweating (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.68, p=0.020) increased the satisfaction in all patients.Conclusion:The increase in age, the clipping method, the presence of recurrence, and the presence of reflexive sweating are the risks of decreasing the level of patient satisfaction.

Keywords

• primary local hyperhidrosis
• endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• sympathectomy
• endoscopic sympathetic clips