Repeated Single Level Lumbar Sympathetic Neurolysis using Alcohol in a Plantar Hyperhidrosis Patient: A 5-year Follow-up Case Report

Abstract

Background: Plantar hyperhidrosis causes discomfort in daily life. However, there are few reports on sympathetic neurolysis in plantar hyperhidrosis. Case: A 19-year-old woman complained of excessive sweating of both hands and feet. Using video-assisted thoracic surgery, the patient underwent bilateral T3 sympathectomy in the department of chest surgery. One year later, she visited pain clinic with with plantar hyperhidrosis and wanted to undergo sympathetic block. Lumbar sympathetic neurolysis was performed using 2.5 ml of pure anhydrous alcohol at the L4 vertebral level. The symptoms improved after the procedure, and there were no side effects. The patient again underwent sympathetic neurolysis as the symptoms recur. Conclusions: Repeated lumbar sympathetic neurolysis was performed in a patient with plantar hyperhidrosis, and its success was confirmed during 5 years of follow-up.