Single-port Thoracoscopic Laser Sympathicotomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis: A Safe and Minimally Invasive Approach With Favorable Short-term Outcomes.

Abstract

Objective: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is a well-established treatment for severe palmar hyperhidrosis. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel one-stage, bilateral, single-port laser sympathicotomy with minimal dissection.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 73 patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent this novel surgical technique between June 2023 and October 2023. Outcomes included complications, recurrent hyperhidrosis, and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH). Hyperhidrosis severity was assessed using the hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS).

Results: The mean patient age was 21.3 ± 7.7 years, with a female predominance (52.1%). Sympathicotomy was performed at the T3 level only in 46 patients (63%), with the remaining undergoing sympathicotomy at both T3 and T4 levels. Median cauterization and operating times were 78 seconds and 8.7 minutes, respectively. No complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrent hyperhidrosis during a median follow-up of 9 months, both were mild (HDSS grade 1). CH developed in 41 patients (56.2%), with all occurring within the first month postoperatively. The most common sites for CH were the back (51.2%), chest (43.9%), thigh (41.5%), abdomen (36.6%), and lower leg (36.6%). The majority of patients with CH (95.1%) reported mild (HDSS grade 1) or moderate (HDSS grade 2) hyperhidrosis. A higher body mass index was a significant risk factor for CH (odds ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.12-1.71 for every 1 kg/m2 increase).

Conclusions: This minimally invasive, single-port thoracoscopic laser sympathicotomy appears to be safe and effective for patients with palmar primary hyperhidrosis. Future studies should investigate long-term outcomes and refine the technique to minimize invasiveness even further.