Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Aug 2004
[Compensatory sweating after upper thoracic sympathectomy. Prospective study of 123 cases].
The most unpleasant consequence of upper thoracic sympathectomy is compensatory sweating (CS). De-pending on the series, the incidence of CS ranges from 24% to 85%. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between CS and the following factors: distribution of hyperhidrosis, procedure performed (unilateral, synchronic bilateral, or sequential bilateral), and number of sympathetic ganglia eliminated. In addition, the degree of patient satisfaction was recorded as objectively as possible. ⋯ Although CS is a side effect of upper thoracic sympathectomy, not all patients are affected by it. Significant CS occurs mainly in the back, chest, and abdomen. Neither the type of intervention nor the number of ganglia eliminated has an effect on CS. This side effect notwithstanding, overall satisfaction with the treatment is very satisfactory given that the palmar hyperhidrosis is eliminated.