Thoracoscopic bilateral sympathectomy for the treatment of hyperhidrosis: A complication of patient positioning

Abstract

Severe palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis may adversely affect the patients. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is frequently preferred for the treatment of severe hyperhidrosis. Patient positioning in surgery may cause a number of complications. In this article, we report a male patient who developed hypoesthesia on the palmar side of the first three fingers of the left hand after thoracoscopic bilateral sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. Nerve conduction studies revealed non-significant results. Hypoesthesia was thought to be related to hyper-abduction position of arms. This complication disappeared two months after surgery. Appropriate patient positioning may prevent these complications.