Excessive sweating or focal hyperhidrosis (HH) of the residual limb in persons with amputations is thought to be a significant contributor to residual limb dermatoses, prosthesis dysfunction, and decreased quality of life. Treatment algorithms used for HH in persons without amputation do not effectively translate to residual limb HH, and research in this area is sparse. We discuss the long-term outcomes of three patients treated with microwave thermoablation (MT) on their residual limbs who had previously been unsuccessfully managed with topical antiperspirants and botulinum toxin injections. On average, there was a decrease of two points in the Hyperhidrosis Severity Scale score among the three patients 4-6 years after treatment. Although the reported side effects of post-procedure edema and prolonged time out of a prosthesis are challenging, MT of the residual limb appears to be a promising treatment modality for persons with amputation. Further investigations for standardized treatment guidelines are required to improve management of residual limb HH with MT.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2021. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.