Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) has been shown to be an effective treatment for idiopathic hyperhidrosis, particularly in cases of excessive sweating in the palmar and axillary regions. The present study observed peroperative palmar temperature change and made a comparison between postoperative sweating complaints. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with idiopathic hyperhidrosis underwent videothoracoscopic sympathectomy and during operation changes in palmar temperature were recorded. The records were then compared with the satisfaction questionnaire that had been administered to the patients. Subsequent to the sympathectomy procedure, measurements were made at five-minute intervals, with the values being recorded at the conclusion of 15 minutes. The mean temperature increase was 1.3°C for the right hand and 1.6°C for the left hand. The measured temperature increases were found to be statistically significant (p=0.01). When the temperature increases were compared according to T3 and T3+T4 sympathectomy level, there was no significant difference in temperature increases between the groups. Furthermore, a significant proportion of patients expressed satisfaction with both the operation itself and the subsequent recovery period, with 77% rating their experience as either 'good' or 'excellent'. The success and efficiency of the sympathectomy procedure can be demonstrated by palmar temperature monitoring during the perioperative period. This provides the surgeon with a valuable indication of the efficacy of the procedure during the operation, with the potential to mitigate postoperative complications by circumventing additional tissue dissection, particularly in cases involving patients with pleural adhesions or variations, such as the azygos lobe, that complicate the procedure.
Kış et al. (Thu,) studied this question.