Technical difficulties and complications of sympathectomy in the treatment of hyperhidrosis: an analysis of 1731 cases.

Background: The aim of this study was to ascertain the technical difficulties and complications of video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy (VTAS) in the treatment of hyperhidrosis in a large group of patients.

Methods: Between October 1995 and February 2008, 1731 patients with palmar, axillary, or craniofacial hyperhidrosis, who were treated using bilateral VTAS, were studied. We assessed the technical difficulties, early and late complications, and the approaches that were used to resolve them.

[Pneumothorax].

The presence of free air in the pleural space, or pneumothorax, is a frequent condition in the clinical practice. The therapeutic approach of the pneumothorax depends on the clinical conditions of the patient, the magnitude of the disease and the presence or absence of underlying lung disease. In this chapter we emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for a rational approach of the pneumothorax.

Axillary hyperhidrosis: T3/T4 versus T4 thoracic sympathectomy in a series of 276 cases.

Background: Different techniques of video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy have been suggested to control the symptoms of axillary hyperhidrosis. We compared the results using two different levels of ganglion resection for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: T3/T4 vs. T4.

Quality of life, before and after thoracic sympathectomy: report on 378 operated patients.

Background: Thoracic sympathectomy is indicated to treat primary hyperhidrosis. The objective is to analyze the results and complications of thoracic sympathectomy and propose a questionnaire to assess the quality of life of patients.

Methods: Between October 1995 and March 2002, 378 patients were evaluated.