The Tendency of Compensatory Hyperhidrosis after Sympathicotomy in Essential Hyperhidrosis

Lee, Jae Hoon; Park, Ki Seong; Park, Chang Kwon; Yoo, Young Sun; Lee, Kwang Sook; Choi, Sae Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is an effective treatment in essential hyperhidrosis. However,many patients suffer from compensatory hyperhidrosis. Compensatory hyperhidrosis is avery uncomfortable problem,but the mechanisms underlying compensatory hyperhidrosis are not completely understood. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May 1999 to June 2001,25 cases of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the 2nd rib for facial hyperhidrosis and 116 cases of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at the 3rd rib for palmar hyperhidrosis were performed in 141 patients.All of the patients were divided into noncompensatory sweating(NCS)and compensatory sweating(CS)group.Each group was investigated according to age,sex,body surface area(BSA), level of sympathicotomy and occupation. RESULT: The global rate of compensatory hyperhidorsis were 64.5%(91/141).There was no difference between the two groups for BSA,level of sympathicotomy and occupation.Mean age showed 23.2 years old in NCS group and 26.4 years old in CS group(p=0.09).In CS group,46 cases were male(50.5%)and 45 cases were female(49.5%)and in NCS group,19 cases were male(38.0%)and 31 cases were female(62.0%) (p=0.16).
CONCLUSION
There were no available statistical data,but there was the fact that old age and male patients had the tendency for compensatory hyperhidrosis.If we have more patient group and consider the patient's family history or psychiatric pr obl ems ,we will have mor evaluable data for compensatory hyperhidrosis.