Objectives: Patients with hyperhidrosis suffer from an extreme perspiration that cannot be aligned with natural or situ- ational standards. Endoscopic sympathectomy is a meaningful option for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. A stan- dardized method of monitoring the immediate intraoperative success has not been established yet. The presented investigation shows one proposed sollution by monitoring skin surface temperature. The main aspect is to demonstrate a sig- nificant rise in temperature with utility for monitoring the immediate success of surgery. Methods: Twenty patients with primary hyperhidrosis were observed and treated in a standardized setting against a control group (n = 10). We obtained diverse data that permit determination of a point of time of measurement of surface temperature and definition of a degree of temperature variance. Results: After 5 minutes a significant change of 0.5 ̊ Celcius was noted on the palms; after 10 minutes on average 1.2 ̊ Celcius. Axillary temperature had significantly changed after 10 minutes with a mean temperature variation of 0.8 ̊ Celcius on the right side and 0.6 ̊ Celcius on the left side. Conclusions: Under consideration of appropriate time intervals of measurement and determined changes in surface temperature an early control of correct clip application in ETS is possible. In the palmar aspect an increase of 0.5 ̊ Celcius at an 5 minutes interval, and more than 1 ̊ Celcius at 10 minutes after placement of the clip as compared to basic values before application of the clip can be proposed.

Human skin has various pathologies in the form of acute and chronic diseases. Some are only cosmetic diseases which are not harmful for life but they can affect mental health and disrupt daily activities. Hyperhidrosis is one of these cosmetic diseases which may be caused by diabetes, infections, or thyroid hyper activity, or can be inherited. There are some examinations for testing hyperhidrosis, e.g. gravimetric and minor starch-iodine test. There are some devices that can measure sweat but are not specifically used or even intended for use on hyperhidrosis. A non-invasive prototype instrument called Electronic Sudometer using the principle of electrical impedance measurement has been developed. The philosophy behind this prototype is to make an instrument which can detect hyperhidrosis during homeostasis as well as in pathological condition. The device injects a sinusoid electric current and detects the ensuing voltage, which is proportional to the impedance of sweat on top of the skin during hyperhidrosis. For this prototype, the electrode system is made of brass rings mounted on a handle. The signal is then processed in electronic assembly. Processed output is transferred to a Laptop with specially made connecting wire. Computer having Sound Card Oscilloscope (Lab View based software) plots the signal and shows voltage level corresponding to sudor level. The signal output can also be displayed on a SmartPhone having software called Osciprime, requiring another specially made interface. Laboratory test results in the form of a plot of output voltage vs. impedance show accuracy of the device. The impedance results can be translated to sweat level because impedance decreases with increasing sweat during hyperhidrosis. The Sudometer was also calibrated using fixed precision resistors over its working range. Laboratory tests were carried out using an artificial skin at various sweat levels and to a yeast tissue model. Hydration of the artificial skin was quantified by weighing precision cut samples on a laboratory balance. Results from two test persons (the author and a student friend) are also included in this Master Thesis. During these experiments, the laptop computer and SmartPhone, respectively, were on internal battery to eliminate electric hazard. Any clinical device must be validated for accuracy and evaluated for safety before applying it on patients – the latter has not been done with the prototype. The author is aware of potential electrical risks, and thus the whole system was disconnected from mains 230V during measurements on himself and a student friend. The device output seems to be well correlated to sweat level although electrolytes were not taken into account. Being a palmar hyperhidrosis patient himself, the author applied the Electronic Sudometer on his palms and the results look quite promising. At different environmental temperatures, the author checked elicited sweat responses. Patient safety is always a concern for clinicians regarding new devices. For this reason, the device itself has been made battery operated, and a new version will be entirely powered from a SmartPhone.

Objectives: Patients with hyperhidrosis suffer from an extreme perspiration that cannot be aligned with natural or situ- ational standards. Endoscopic sympathectomy is a meaningful option for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. A stan- dardized method of monitoring the immediate intraoperative success has not been established yet. The presented investigation shows one proposed sollution by monitoring skin surface temperature. The main aspect is to demonstrate a sig- nificant rise in temperature with utility for monitoring the immediate success of surgery. Methods: Twenty patients with primary hyperhidrosis were observed and treated in a standardized setting against a control group (n = 10). We obtained diverse data that permit determination of a point of time of measurement of surface temperature and definition of a degree of temperature variance. Results: After 5 minutes a significant change of 0.5 ̊ Celcius was noted on the palms; after 10 minutes on average 1.2 ̊ Celcius. Axillary temperature had significantly changed after 10 minutes with a mean temperature variation of 0.8 ̊ Celcius on the right side and 0.6 ̊ Celcius on the left side. Conclusions: Under consideration of appropriate time intervals of measurement and determined changes in surface temperature an early control of correct clip application in ETS is possible. In the palmar aspect an increase of 0.5 ̊ Celcius at an 5 minutes interval, and more than 1 ̊ Celcius at 10 minutes after placement of the clip as compared to basic values before application of the clip can be proposed.

Introdução: Atualmente, a simpatectomia torácica videoassistida tornou-se o tratamento de escolha para hiperidrose palmar. O principal efeito colateral após operação é a hiperidrose compensatória (HC), sendo considerada a maior causa de insatisfação pelos pacientes. Objetivo: Comparar os resultados obtidos com a simpatectomia torácica videotoracoscópica realizada em dois níveis ganglionares distintos (terceiro versus quarto gânglio torácico) no tratamento da hiperidrose palmo-plantar, por meio de um ensaio clínico randomizado e cego. Método: Foram selecionados 40 pacientes entre fevereiro de 2007 e maio de 2009. Os participantes foram aleatorizados em dois grupos de 20 pacientes (G3 e G4) e submetidos à operação com seguimento de 12 meses (1ª semana, 1° mês, 6° mês e 12° mês). Utilizamos um método objetivo para mensuração do suor, aferindo a TEWL (transepidermal water loss) pelo VapoMeter, além da avaliação da qualidade de vida antes e após a operação. Também foram estudados: resolução da hiperidrose palmar, incidência e intensidade da HC. Resultados: Todos os pacientes apresentaram resolução da hiperidrose palmar após a operação, com diferença estatística em relação ao fator tempo, quando comparados os valores da TEWL palmar no pré-operatório com os seus respectivos valores na 1ª semana, 1° mês, 6° mês e 12° mês. O principal efeito colateral observado foi a hiperidrose compensatória, incidindo com maior frequência no grupo G3 após 12 meses de seguimento; apesar disto, não houve diferença estatística em relação à intensidade (gravidade) da HC nos grupos estudados. Verificou-se melhora da qualidade de vida desde a primeira avaliação do pós-operatório, sem diferença entre os grupos, que assim se manteve até o fim do estudo. As regiões mais acometidas pela HC foram dorso, tórax, abdome e coxas; no entanto, não houve diferença estatística da TEWL mensurada nessas regiões após 12 meses de acompanhamento. Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas foram efetivas no tratamento da hiperidrose palmar, gerando redução objetiva da TEWL independente do gânglio operado. A simpatectomia no nível de G3 apresentou maior incidência de HC; apesar disso, a melhora da qualidade de vida foi similar em ambos os grupos, não existindo diferença significativa da TEWL quantificada no dorso, abdome, coxas e pés após 12 meses / Introduction: Currently, video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy has become the preferred treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. The main side effect after surgery remains compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH), considered the major cause of dissatisfaction for patients. Objective: To compare the results obtained of video-assisted sympathectomy performed on two distinct ganglion levels (third versus fourth thoracic ganglion) in the treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis, through a blind randomized clinical trial. Method: We selected 40 patients from February 2007 to May 2009. All participants were randomized into two groups of 20 patients (G3 and G4) and underwent the operation, being followed for 12 months (1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12th month). We used an objective method for measuring sweat, checking the \"TEWL (transepidermal water loss) measured by the\"VapoMeter\", and evaluated the quality of life before and after the operation. Also studied were: palmar hyperhidrosis, incidence and intensity of the CH. Results: All patients ceased suffering from palmar hyperhidrosis after surgery, with statistical difference regarding the time factor when we compared the values of \"TEWL\" palmar preoperatively with their respective values at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12th month. The main side effect observed was compensatory sweating, most frequent in G3 after 12 months of follow-up; despite this, there was no statistical difference regarding the intensity (severity) of CH in both groups. There was an improvement in quality of life since the first evaluation of the postoperative period, with no difference between groups, and so it remained until the end of follow-up. The areas most affected by CH were back, chest, abdomen and thighs; however, there was no statistical difference in the \"TEWL\" measured in these areas after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Both techniques were effective in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, generating objective reduction of \"TEWL\" regardless of the ganglion operated. Sympathectomy G3 had a higher incidence of CH, yet the improvement in quality of life was similar in both groups without significant differences of \"TEWL\" quantified on the back, abdomen, thighs and legs after 12 months of follow up

INTRODUÇÃO: O nível ótimo de simpatectomia para a hiperidrose palmar seria aquele que resultasse na definitiva desnervação simpática da palma da mão com mínima intensidade de hiperidrose compensatória. OBJETIVOS: Comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas (níveis de desnervação) de simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia para tratamento da hiperidrose palmar ou palmo-plantar a curto e médio prazo. MÉTODOS: De maio de 2003 a junho de 2006, 60 pacientes com hiperidrose palmar foram prospectivamente randomizados para a simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia nos níveis do gânglio T2 ou T3. Foram acompanhados pelo período médio de 20 meses avaliando-se: a resolução da hiperidrose palmar; a incidência e a intensidade da hiperidrose compensatória; sua evolução durante o estudo; e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: 59 pacientes apresentaram resolução da hiperidrose palmar. Uma falha terapêutica ocorreu no grupo T3. A maioria dos pacientes apresentou melhora da hiperidrose plantar sem diferença entre os grupos. Após 20 meses, todos os pacientes de ambos os grupos apresentavam algum grau de hiperidrose compensatória, mas com menor intensidade no grupo T3 (p=0,007). A HC desenvolveu-se na maioria dos pacientes no primeiro mês do pós-operatório, com incidência e intensidade estáveis com o passar do tempo. Verificou-se melhora da qualidade de vida desde a primeira avaliação de pós-operatório, sem diferença em nenhum dos grupos, e assim se manteve até o fim do seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas são efetivas para tratar a hiperidrose palmar. A complicação mais frequente foi a hiperidrose compensatória, que cronologicamente apresentou incidência e intensidade estáveis durante o estudo. A simpatectomia no nível T3 apresentou menor intensidade de HC, mas, apesar disso, a melhora da qualidade de vida foi similar em ambos os grupos. / INTRODUCTION:The optimum level for sympathectomy to treat palmar hyperhidrosis would be the level that produced definitive sympathetic denervation of the palm of the hand with minimal compensatory hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare two surgical techniques (denervation levels) of sympathectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopy to treat palmar or palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis for short and medium-term. METHODS: From May 2003 to June 2006, 60 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis were prospectively randomized for video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy at the T2 or T3 ganglion level. They were followed up for a mean of 20 months and were evaluated regarding their degree of improvement of palmar hyperhidrosis; incidence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis and its evolution over time; and quality of life. RESULTS: Fifty-nine cases presented resolution of the palmar hyperhidrosis. One case of therapeutic failure occurred in the T3 group. Most of the patients presented an improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis, without any difference between the groups. Twenty months later, all of the patients in both groups presented some degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis, but with less severity in the T3 group (p = 0.007). Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in most patients during the first month after the operation, with incidence and severity that remained stable over time. An improvement in quality of life was seen, starting from the first postoperative evaluation, but without any difference between the groups. This was maintained until the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both techniques were effective for treating palmar hyperhidrosis. The most frequent complication was compensatory hyperhidrosis, which presented stable incidence and severity over the study period. Sympathectomy at the T3 level presented compensatory hyperhidrosis of less severity. Nevertheless, the improvement in quality of life was similar between the groups.

Introdução: Atualmente, a simpatectomia torácica videoassistida tornou-se o tratamento de escolha para hiperidrose palmar. O principal efeito colateral após operação é a hiperidrose compensatória (HC), sendo considerada a maior causa de insatisfação pelos pacientes. Objetivo: Comparar os resultados obtidos com a simpatectomia torácica videotoracoscópica realizada em dois níveis ganglionares distintos (terceiro versus quarto gânglio torácico) no tratamento da hiperidrose palmo-plantar, por meio de um ensaio clínico randomizado e cego. Método: Foram selecionados 40 pacientes entre fevereiro de 2007 e maio de 2009. Os participantes foram aleatorizados em dois grupos de 20 pacientes (G3 e G4) e submetidos à operação com seguimento de 12 meses (1ª semana, 1° mês, 6° mês e 12° mês). Utilizamos um método objetivo para mensuração do suor, aferindo a TEWL (transepidermal water loss) pelo VapoMeter, além da avaliação da qualidade de vida antes e após a operação. Também foram estudados: resolução da hiperidrose palmar, incidência e intensidade da HC. Resultados: Todos os pacientes apresentaram resolução da hiperidrose palmar após a operação, com diferença estatística em relação ao fator tempo, quando comparados os valores da TEWL palmar no pré-operatório com os seus respectivos valores na 1ª semana, 1° mês, 6° mês e 12° mês. O principal efeito colateral observado foi a hiperidrose compensatória, incidindo com maior frequência no grupo G3 após 12 meses de seguimento; apesar disto, não houve diferença estatística em relação à intensidade (gravidade) da HC nos grupos estudados. Verificou-se melhora da qualidade de vida desde a primeira avaliação do pós-operatório, sem diferença entre os grupos, que assim se manteve até o fim do estudo. As regiões mais acometidas pela HC foram dorso, tórax, abdome e coxas; no entanto, não houve diferença estatística da TEWL mensurada nessas regiões após 12 meses de acompanhamento. Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas foram efetivas no tratamento da hiperidrose palmar, gerando redução objetiva da TEWL independente do gânglio operado. A simpatectomia no nível de G3 apresentou maior incidência de HC; apesar disso, a melhora da qualidade de vida foi similar em ambos os grupos, não existindo diferença significativa da TEWL quantificada no dorso, abdome, coxas e pés após 12 meses / Introduction: Currently, video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy has become the preferred treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. The main side effect after surgery remains compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH), considered the major cause of dissatisfaction for patients. Objective: To compare the results obtained of video-assisted sympathectomy performed on two distinct ganglion levels (third versus fourth thoracic ganglion) in the treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis, through a blind randomized clinical trial. Method: We selected 40 patients from February 2007 to May 2009. All participants were randomized into two groups of 20 patients (G3 and G4) and underwent the operation, being followed for 12 months (1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12th month). We used an objective method for measuring sweat, checking the \"TEWL (transepidermal water loss) measured by the\"VapoMeter\", and evaluated the quality of life before and after the operation. Also studied were: palmar hyperhidrosis, incidence and intensity of the CH. Results: All patients ceased suffering from palmar hyperhidrosis after surgery, with statistical difference regarding the time factor when we compared the values of \"TEWL\" palmar preoperatively with their respective values at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12th month. The main side effect observed was compensatory sweating, most frequent in G3 after 12 months of follow-up; despite this, there was no statistical difference regarding the intensity (severity) of CH in both groups. There was an improvement in quality of life since the first evaluation of the postoperative period, with no difference between groups, and so it remained until the end of follow-up. The areas most affected by CH were back, chest, abdomen and thighs; however, there was no statistical difference in the \"TEWL\" measured in these areas after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Both techniques were effective in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, generating objective reduction of \"TEWL\" regardless of the ganglion operated. Sympathectomy G3 had a higher incidence of CH, yet the improvement in quality of life was similar in both groups without significant differences of \"TEWL\" quantified on the back, abdomen, thighs and legs after 12 months of follow up

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is used in various fields of medicine, including the treatment of hyperhidrosis and cervical dystonia. Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and NeuroBloc® are commercially available BTX products, which are formulated differently and their dosing units are unique. Dosage and concentration of the prepared solution for injection varies considerably among studies comparing the products. Improved guidelines on concentration and dosing when changing from one product to another are warranted. This would ensure the use of the lowest effective doses for good effect, minimal risk of antibody formation and side-effects as well as reduced costs. The aim of the present work was to find the most appropriate BTX concentration for each of the four products to achieve the highest sweat reducing effect and to investigate dose conversion ratios between Botox and Dysport in the treatment of cervical dystonia when the products are diluted to the same concentration, 100 U/ml. Paper I and II clearly confirm that it is crucial to consider the BTX concentration in a treatment regimen, especially when changing between different products. The optimal concentration to reduce sweating varies among the products and was found to be 25 U/ml for Botox and Xeomin, approximately 100 U/ml for Dysport and 50 U/ml for NeuroBloc. However, for NeuroBloc the optimal concentration might be even lower. In Paper III, which is a retrospective study using casebook notes from 75 patients with cervical dystonia, it was found that the most appropriate dose conversion ratio to use when switching from Botox to Dysport was 1:1.7. In Paper IV, Botox and Dysport were prospectively compared in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in two different dose conversion ratios (1:3 and 1:1.7) when diluted to the same concentration (100 U/ml). No statistically significant difference was seen between Botox (1:3) and Dysport nor between Botox (1:1.7) and Dysport four weeks after treatment. Some of the secondary outcome observations, however, did indicate that the ratio 1:3 resulted in suboptimal efficacy of Botox but this must be further validated in a larger patient material.

INTRODUÇÃO: O nível ótimo de simpatectomia para a hiperidrose palmar seria aquele que resultasse na definitiva desnervação simpática da palma da mão com mínima intensidade de hiperidrose compensatória. OBJETIVOS: Comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas (níveis de desnervação) de simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia para tratamento da hiperidrose palmar ou palmo-plantar a curto e médio prazo. MÉTODOS: De maio de 2003 a junho de 2006, 60 pacientes com hiperidrose palmar foram prospectivamente randomizados para a simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia nos níveis do gânglio T2 ou T3. Foram acompanhados pelo período médio de 20 meses avaliando-se: a resolução da hiperidrose palmar; a incidência e a intensidade da hiperidrose compensatória; sua evolução durante o estudo; e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: 59 pacientes apresentaram resolução da hiperidrose palmar. Uma falha terapêutica ocorreu no grupo T3. A maioria dos pacientes apresentou melhora da hiperidrose plantar sem diferença entre os grupos. Após 20 meses, todos os pacientes de ambos os grupos apresentavam algum grau de hiperidrose compensatória, mas com menor intensidade no grupo T3 (p=0,007). A HC desenvolveu-se na maioria dos pacientes no primeiro mês do pós-operatório, com incidência e intensidade estáveis com o passar do tempo. Verificou-se melhora da qualidade de vida desde a primeira avaliação de pós-operatório, sem diferença em nenhum dos grupos, e assim se manteve até o fim do seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas são efetivas para tratar a hiperidrose palmar. A complicação mais frequente foi a hiperidrose compensatória, que cronologicamente apresentou incidência e intensidade estáveis durante o estudo. A simpatectomia no nível T3 apresentou menor intensidade de HC, mas, apesar disso, a melhora da qualidade de vida foi similar em ambos os grupos. / INTRODUCTION:The optimum level for sympathectomy to treat palmar hyperhidrosis would be the level that produced definitive sympathetic denervation of the palm of the hand with minimal compensatory hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare two surgical techniques (denervation levels) of sympathectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopy to treat palmar or palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis for short and medium-term. METHODS: From May 2003 to June 2006, 60 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis were prospectively randomized for video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy at the T2 or T3 ganglion level. They were followed up for a mean of 20 months and were evaluated regarding their degree of improvement of palmar hyperhidrosis; incidence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis and its evolution over time; and quality of life. RESULTS: Fifty-nine cases presented resolution of the palmar hyperhidrosis. One case of therapeutic failure occurred in the T3 group. Most of the patients presented an improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis, without any difference between the groups. Twenty months later, all of the patients in both groups presented some degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis, but with less severity in the T3 group (p = 0.007). Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in most patients during the first month after the operation, with incidence and severity that remained stable over time. An improvement in quality of life was seen, starting from the first postoperative evaluation, but without any difference between the groups. This was maintained until the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both techniques were effective for treating palmar hyperhidrosis. The most frequent complication was compensatory hyperhidrosis, which presented stable incidence and severity over the study period. Sympathectomy at the T3 level presented compensatory hyperhidrosis of less severity. Nevertheless, the improvement in quality of life was similar between the groups.

Bakgrund: Hyperhidros är en hudsjukdom som orsakar överdriven svettning, vilket innebär att kroppen producerar mer svett än vad som är fysiologiskt nödvändigt. Sjukdomen är underrapporterad och underdiagnostiserad vilket innebär att det medför ett mörkertal om hur många som lever med sjukdomen. Syfte: Att beskriva patienters erfarenheter av att leva med hyperhidros. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie med induktiv ansats varav åtta vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades. Resultatartiklar bearbetades genom granskning av resultaten vilka sedan sammanställdes och mynnade ut i kategorier. Resultat: I resultatet framkom det tre kategorier: erfarenheter av hanteringen av det dagliga livet, erfarenheter av mötet med hälso- och sjukvården och erfarenheter av påverkan på det personliga livet. Vanliga problem som förekom vid hyperhidros var begränsningar i vardagen och arbetslivet. Hyperhidros kunde även leda till social distansering samt en negativ påverkan på patienters psykiska hälsa. Konklusion: Hyperhidros behöver uppmärksammas i samhället för att skapa medvetenhet samt minska stigmatiseringen kring sjukdomen. Genom stöd och en ökad kunskap om patienters erfarenheter av att leva med hyperhidros kan sjuksköterskan främja en god omvårdnad vilket leder till en bättre livskvalitet för patienter. / Background: Hyperhidrosis is a skin disease that causes excessive sweating, which means that the body produces more sweat than what´s physiologically necessary. Hyperhidrosis is an underreported and underdiagnosed disease which entails hidden statistics of the number of people affected by it. Aim: to describe patients experiences of living with hyperhidrosis. Method: The study was conducted as a general literature review with an inductive approach where eight scientific articles were included. The result articles were processed by reviewing the results which were then compiled and resulted in categories. Results: The results emerged in three categories: experiences of management of everyday life, experiences of encounter with healthcare and experiences of impact on personal life. Common issues that were related to hyperhidrosis were limitations in everyday life and working life. Hyperhidrosis also led to avoidance of social situations and had a negative impact on patients’ mental health. Conclusion: Hyperhidrosis needs to be recognized in society to create awareness and reduce stigma surrounding the disease. Through support and increased knowledge about patients’ experiences living with hyperhidrosis, nurses can promote proper nurturing, which increases patients’ quality of life.

INTRODUÇÃO: O nível ótimo de simpatectomia para a hiperidrose axilar seria aquele que resultasse no tratamento definitivo da hiperidrose, associado à mínima intensidade de hiperidrose compensatória. OBJETIVO: Comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas (níveis de desnervação) de simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia para o tratamento da hiperidrose axilar em um período de 12 meses. MÉTODO: De janeiro de 2004 a julho de 2007, foram seguidos 64 pacientes portadores de hiperidrose axilar randomizados para a simpatectomia por videotoracoscopia nos níveis dos gânglios T3-T4 ou T4. O acompanhamento ocorreu pelo período de 12 meses avaliando-se: a resolução da hiperidrose axilar; a incidência e intensidade da hiperidrose compensatória; sua evolução durante o estudo; e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes apresentaram resolução da hiperidrose axilar. Não houve falhas terapêuticas. Após 12 meses, 57,6% dos pacientes do grupo T4 e 6,5% dos pacientes de T3-T4 apresentavam-se sem hiperidrose compensatória (p<0,001). Os pacientes do grupo T4 que apresentaram hiperidrose compensatória mostraram menor intensidade que os do grupo T3-T4, não sendo observada HC intensa (p<0,001). Verificou-se melhora da qualidade de vida desde a primeira avaliação, sendo que no grupo T4 esta se mostrou maior que no grupo T3-T4 a partir de seis meses de seguimento (p=0,002). CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas são efetivas para tratar a hiperidrose axilar. A complicação mais frequente foi a hiperidrose compensatória, que, cronologicamente, apresentou-se estável durante o estudo. A simpatectomia no nível T4 apresentou menor intensidade de HC, com melhora da qualidade de vida ao longo do seguimento. / INTRODUCTION: The optimum level of sympathectomy for axillary hyperhidrosis is one that would result in a definitive treatment of hyperhidrosis, associated with a lower severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare two surgical techniques (denervation levels) of sympathectomy with video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy to treat axillary hyperhidrosis in a period of 12 months. METHODS: From January 2004 to July 2007, 64 patients with axillary hyperhidrosis were randomized for videoassisted thoracic sympathectomy at the T3-T4 or T4 ganglia level; they were followed up for a 12-month period in order to evaluate axillary hyperhidrosis, the incidence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis, its evolution throughout the study, and the patients\' quality of life. RESULTS: Sixty four patients presented resolution of the axillary hyperhidrosis. No therapeutic failures occurred. After 12 months, 57.6% of the patients of the T4 group and 6. 5% of the T3-T4 group had not developed compensatory hyperhidrosis (p<0.001). Patients of the T4 group who experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis presented a rate lower than those in the T3-T4 group, and no severe CH (p<0.001) was observed. Improvement in the quality of life was reported since the first evaluation, proving to be higher in the T4 group than in the T3-T4 group, starting after six months of follow-up (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are effective for treating axillary hyperhidrosis. The most frequent complication was compensatory hyperhidrosis, which remained chronologically stable throughout the study. The T4-level sympathectomy group presented a less severe compensatory hyperhidrosis,