Hyperhidrosis Surgery for Children: Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy

If you feel you are sweating too much, you might have hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by sweaty hands and sweaty feet. http://www.chop.edu/hyperhidrosis

In This Video:
0:58 What is Hyperhidrosis?
1:38 Real-Life Impact of Hyperhidrosis
2:08 Treatment Options for Hyperhidrosis
3:05 Hyperhidrosis Surgery – Patient Story
5:03 Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy – About the Procedure
5:48 What is Compensatory Sweating?
6:26 Results After Hyperhidrosis Surgery

Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating in amounts greater than what is needed to regulate our body temperature. The causes of excessive sweating are often unknown. In most cases, hyperhidrosis occurs for no apparent reason and is called primary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis usually affects only certain parts of the body, so it is also referred to as primary focal hyperhidrosis.

The areas that are most commonly affected by primary focal hyperhidrosis are excessive sweating in the palms of the hands, the axillae (armpits), and the feet. The condition often starts during childhood or adolescence. Patients may start noticing extremely sweaty palms or soles of the feet, regardless of the temperature.

Most patients notice the excessive sweating for the first time when their sweaty hands begin to interfere with school and social activities. Excessive sweating in the hands can severely affect the ability to write, hold papers, use touch-screens, and perform routine daily activities. Profuse sweating can also cause social embarrassment and impair the patient’s social interactions, which can lead to negative psychological and psychosocial consequences.

Hyperhidrosis can also occur as a result of several medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism and hypertension, in which case it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. Before starting any treatment for hyperhidrosis, all medical conditions that can lead to excessive sweating must be ruled out.

Hyperhidrosis can be treated non-surgically or with a surgical procedure. Non-surgical hyperhidrosis treatment typically involves care by a dermatologist and one of the following options: topical agents like antiperspirants; oral hyperhidrosis medication that blocks the innervation of the sweat glands; iontophoresis, a type of low-voltage electric therapy; or Botox injections, which work to decrease the amount of sweat by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis surgery is called thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The operation is also known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or minimally invasive thoracic sympathectomy. Pablo Laje, MD, a pediatric general surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, talks about what to expect during this surgery and how surgery can help treat the underlying cause of extremely sweaty hands and feet.

Видео Hyperhidrosis Surgery for Children: Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy канала The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia