The Effectiveness of Sympathetic Skin Response Studies for Patients with Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis and Who Undergo Thoracic Sympathicotomy

Yoon, Jeong Seob; Sim, Sung Bo; Rhee, Won Ihl

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There is no standardized tool and parameter that can accurately assess the sympathetic function before and after performing sympathectomy in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. We examined the effectiveness of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) study for documenting the change of sympathetic denervation before and after performing selective thoracic sympathicotomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We prospectively investigated the SSR from 12 healthy subjects who were diagnosed with primary hyperhidrosis. Each SSR was recorded on the right palm or sole with electrical stimuli applied to the skin at the left wrist and foot and vice versa for the controlateral side. This test was performed before, 2 weeks and 1 year after selective thoracic sympathicotomy. The data was corrected for the onset latency and the amplitude of the SSR (n=24). RESULT: The mean age of the 12 patients was 24.6+/-0.4 years (range: 19~36) and the gender ratio was 1:0.7. The mean values of the preoperative, postoperative 2 weeks and postoperative 1 year onset latency and amplitude of the palmar side (n=24) were 1.46+/-0.24 msec and 6,043+/-2,339micronV, 1.63+/-0.42 msec and 823+/-638micronV, and 1.44+/-0.39 msec and 2,412+/-1,546micronV, respectively. The mean values of the plantar side (n=38) were 1.83+/-0.42 msec and 2,816+/-1,694micronV, 2.16+/-0.39 msec and 1,445+/-1,281micronV and 1.95+/-0.25 msec and 1,622+/-865micronV, respectively. Among the documented parameters, only the palmar amplitude (p=0.002) showed statistical significance in recording the change of the sympathetic system within the same individual for the pre and postoperative period.
CONCLUSION
The SSR amplitude ratio may be a useful parameter for documenting the efficacy of sympathetic denervation after selective sympathicotomy.