Phenomena associated with sympathectomy following hyperhidrosis (Hebrew)

Hyperhidrosis consists of excessive sweating beyond that required to cool the body. It apparently originates from stimulation of the sympathetic nervous sytem of unknown cause and can pose a severe psychologic and social handicap. Of the many forms of treatment recommended, only surgical removal of the sympathetic nerve supply appears to be permanently effective. 3 unusual phenomena were observed in 60 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent cervical sympathectomy. In 23 of 55 patients with concomitant plantar hyperhidrosis, not only the hands but the feet as well became permanently dry after cervical sympathectomy. In most of the patients excessive compensatory sweating occurred elsewhere on the body as well (trunk, abdomen, chest, arms, legs, buttocks). 19 patients complained of gustatory hyperhidrosis after the operation even when on a bland diet. However, all felt that postoperative gustatory hyperhidrosis or excessive compensatory sweating was preferable to sweaty hands.