Idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Much more than a cosmetic problem

Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is of unknown cause and affects the palms of the hands, soles of feet, armpits and cranio-facial region. The specialty that trafficking is the thoracic surgery .

When excessive sweat secretion occurs speak of hyperhidrosis. The reasons for this may be secondary to various pathologies or may not have a known cause and then speak of idiopathic hyperhidrosis.

Idiopathic or primary hyperhidrosis is a process that affects between 0.5 to 1% of the population. The most affected areas are the palms, soles, armpits and cranio-facial region. The cause of this is unknown and appears to be related to hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system.

The diagnosis is mainly clinical and must begin with secondary hyperhidrosis discard other pathologies. The patient 'type' has a significant palmar sweating increases with situations of heat and stress, which causes serious problems such labor, social and sentimental. It may be associated with axillary hyperhidrosis, plantar or craniofacial. This situation is experienced as stressful closing the vicious circle and leading often plaid social phobia.

Once diagnosed with primary hyperhidrosis box will initially conservative treatment and led by a dermatologist. The most frequently used methods are the application of aluminum salts, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injection and the use of drugs such as anticholinergics, beta-blockers and anxiolytics.

If these methods fail, you can offer the patient the surgical treatment through bilateral thoracic sympathectomy. Minimally invasive surgery which allows bilateral sympathectomy at one time and with minimal discomfort to the patient is used. The immediate results regarding palmar hyperhidrosis are excellent with success rates above 95%. Regarding the most frequent complications and side effects is compensatory hyperperspiration. Despite these adverse effects and the usual hassles of any surgery, the key question: "Would you operated" Over 95% of patients answered affirmatively.

In conclusion, bilateral thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis treatment is a safe and effective procedure when other treatments have failed.