Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy Surgery

Early surgical techniques that were used to treat hyperhidrosis were invasive, risky, scarring, and sometimes unsuccessful. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery

is less invasive, since it is performed with the aid of a small endoscope that is introduced into the body. This surgery is designed to interrupt the transmission of nerve signals to the sweat glands. This procedure carries with it the usual risks that can be encountered during surgery, such as nerve damage, as well as other side effects, such as chronic pain syndrome. The most notable of these side effects may be compensatory sweating, that is, increased sweating may occur at a new body location. In addition, the cut nerves may reconnect, rendering the procedure completely unsuccessful (12).

Updated: June 23, 2015 — 3:34 pm