A new target of percutaneus sympathic radiofrequency thermocoagulation for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis: T4.

OBJECTIVES

Hyperhidrosis is thought to result from a functional impairment of the sympathic nervous system. In this study, percutaneous T4 sympathic radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation was used to treat palmar hyperhidrosis which does not respond to conservative treatment. The results were evaluated in terms of safety, efficiency and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

In this study, 15 patients aged 16-48 years were retrospectively evaluated from prior records. Patient satisfaction scores (very satisfied, satisfied, not satisfied), after treatment of the hand condition (dry, mild dry, no improvement), and whether the most common complication and most patients expressed by the compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) degree (none, mild, moderate, severe) were analyzed.

RESULTS

No complications were observed except a coughing crisis that lasted for 2 hours in one patient, transient bradycardia in 1 patient and transient injection site pain in all cases. Two patients 1 per week and three patients 1, 2 and 6 months developed recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Sympathic T4 ablation with RF thermocoagulation was found to have long term (6 months) patient satisfaction (80%). It was also effective in reducing the hand sweating (80% dry or mild dry). The CH rate was 27%. According to our results, sympathic T4 ablation with RF thermocoagulation is a safe and effective treatment with a high degree of patient satisfaction.