Korean J Anesthesiol.  1998 Oct;35(4):727-731. 10.4097/kjae.1998.35.4.727.

Is Palmar Skin Temperature a Indicator for the Success of Thoracic Sympathectomy in Hyperhidrosis Patients?

• Son Y
• Kim RJ
• Cheong YP
• Kim TY

• KMID: 2091272
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1998.35.4.727

Abstract

BACKGREOUND: The sympathetic investigations during thoracic sympathectomy are essential to an adequate sympathectomy that will lead to sufficient and lasting relief of palmar hyperhidrosis. The measurement of palmar skin temperature has been used as an indicator of success of transcutaneous chemical thoracic sympathectomy. We measured intraoperative palmar skin temperature to know whether it can be used as a same purpose in the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthsia.
METHODS
Fifteen patients (18 to 25 years old) with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthesia. The palmar skin temperature was measured with a skin probe of a thermometer applied on the both index finger tips. The palmar skin temperature was monitored continuously from the beginning of anesthesia to the complete arousal.
RESULTS
The palmar skin temperature increased significantly by about 3 degrees C just after induction. There was no significant difference in the palmar skin temperature between just before sympathectomy and soon after sympathectomy during the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative measurement of palmar skin temperature can not indicate a definite sympathectic denervation during the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthesia.

Keyword

Anesthesia: general; Skin: hyperhidrosis; Surgery: endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy; Temperature: index finger tip

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Arousal
Denervation
Fingers
Humans
Hyperhidrosis*
Skin Temperature*
Skin*
Sympathectomy*
Thermometers