Laser Doppler scanning study of palmar skin perfusion for patients with hyperhidrosis before and after thoracic sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND

Palmar hyperhidrosis is effectively treated by thoracic sympathectomy. Previous reports revealed that palmar skin temperature and perfusion increased on focal palmar regions after treatment. This study aimed to investigate the blood flow change over the whole palmar surface after the procedure.

METHODS

Thirty patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis were included for study. Each participant received measurement of palmar skin perfusion by a laser Doppler image scanner 1 day before and 1 day after surgery. Concomitantly, palmar skin temperature was recorded by a contact thermometer probe. One patient underwent intraoperative recording of palmar skin perfusion.

RESULTS

Palmar skin perfusion and temperature increased significantly after thoracic sympathectomy. Intraoperative measurement performed for a patient showed a similar trend of increment of palmar skin blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

The global skin perfusion of palms can be analyzed in real time by the laser Doppler image scanner. This technique could be useful for analysis of blood flow changes in other body surface regions after thoracic sympathectomy.