Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy: an efficient and safe method for the treatment of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1119
BACKGROUND: @entity1119 of the palms, axillae, and face has a strong negative impact on the quality of life for many @entity1 . Existing nonsurgical therapeutic options are far from ideal. Definitive cure can be obtained by upper thoracic sympathectomy. The traditional open surgical technique is a major procedure; few @entity1 and doctors have found that risk-benefit considerations favor surgery. Endoscopic minimal invasive surgical techniques are now available. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether endoscopic ablation of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain is efficient and safe in the treatment of @entity1119 . METHODS: We treated 850 @entity1 with bilateral endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy. RESULTS: There was no mortality or life-threatening complication. Nine @entity1 (1%) required intercostal drainage because of hemothorax or pneumothorax. Treatment failure occurred in 18 cases (2%) and symptoms recurred in 17 @entity1 (2%). At the end of follow-up (median, 31 months) 98% of the @entity1 reported satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy is an efficient, safe, and minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of palmar, axillary, and facial @entity1119 .
