Comparison of ultrasonic scalpel to electrocautery in patients undergoing endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Background: Sympathectomy is an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis. The ultrasonic scalpel and electrocautery have been used for the procedure, but the use of the ultrasonic scalpel has been promoted as superior to that of electrocautery. This study explored whether a reusable electrocautery probe was equally as effective and safe as the ultrasonic scalpel for sympathectomy.

Transection of more than one sympathetic chain ganglion for hyperhidrosis increases the severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis and decreases patient satisfaction.

Sympathectomy (ETS) is an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis (HH), but compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is a common side effect. We reviewed our experience with 200 patients. Two hundred patients were retrospectively analyzed.