Everything You Need To Know About Hyperhidrosis Surgery
Hyperhidrosis is a condition caused by an excessive concentration of sweat glands in some area. The result is an embarrassing and uncomfortable amount of perspiration in the affected area(s). It can be generalized over the entire body or it can arise only in a specific area(s). The back, armpits, feet, and palms are the most common locations for hyperhidrosis symptoms. It can either be passed down by a genetic trait or acquired later in life. Primary hyperhidrosis is the genetic version, as opposed to secondary hyperhidrosis, which can arise due to several illnesses or drug abuse. Primary hyperhidrosis is thought to be the result of a genetically predisposed overactive sympathetic nerve.
Hyperhidrosis Surgery – Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)
Many sufferers have the option of hyperhidrosis surgery as a means of curing the disorder. Surgery is usually approached as a last resort due to potential irreversible complications. One of the main surgical procedures used to treat hyperhidrosis is endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). ETS involves the sympathetic nervous system and is therefore only effective for those with primary hyperhidrosis. It is most often used for those with facial blushing or excessive armpit, facial, or hand sweating. It involves either burning, clamping, cutting, or removing a portion of the main sympathetic nerve. Clamping is preferred as it allows for reversal if necessary.
ETS Side Effects
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery is not without its negative side effects. Complications and adverse reactions may range anywhere from quite insignificant to awfully severe. Some initial complaints include night sweating, a tingling sensation in the upper arms, and weight gain. These are temporary and dissipate fairly quickly after the surgery.
The most common side effect of Hyperhidrosis Surgery is compensatory sweating. From 20 percent to as many as 80 percent of all patients undergoing ETS experience some sort of compensatory sweating. Most report it to be a tolerable amount, but a very few say that it is worse than the initial condition. About 94 percent of patients agree that they prefer the compensatory sweating to the initial condition. There are also many reports of increased total body respiration in warm environments after receiving a sympathectormy. Another complaint is that sometimes the nerves regenerate over time and the initial condition returns.
Serious Side Effects Of ETS
Although rare, some patients experience cardiac sympathetic denervation, extremely dry hands, gustatory sweating, or Horner’s syndrome as a result of the surgery. Cardiac sympathetic denervation causes a 10 percent lowering of the heart rate. Gustatory sweating refers to facial sweating and it is experienced by less than 25 percent of ETS patients. It is usually triggered by eating sour or spicy foods. Horner’s syndrome, experienced by about 1 percent of ETS patients, is characterized by drooping, sunken-in, bloodshot eyes, flushing, and small pupils.
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy As Outpatient Surgery
Hyperhidrosis Surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that you come in on the scheduled day of your surgery and leave on the same day. A tiny incision (about a centimeter in length) is made under each armpit. Air is inserted into the cavity to move the lung out of the way. The proper sympathetic ganglion is located and clamped or removed according to the physician’s preference and what you and your physician in your pre-op consultation determine appropriate. The air is then removed from the cavity and the incision is closed. The surgery produces two very small scars that are practically undetectable. After receiving the surgery, you will be transported to a recovery room for an hour or two. Chest X rays will be performed to ensure that no air or blood have entered the cavity and upon receipt of a successful X ray result, you will be allowed to return home. Surgeries performed on an outpatient basis save on the overall cost by cutting out overnight hospital stays.
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy Surgery Outcomes
Overall satisfaction with the results of Hyperhidrosis Surgery across all uses has been reported to be as much as 80 percent. Success rates seem to be even higher among children. For hand sweating alone, as many as 98 to 100 percent of patients are happy with the results with only a seven percent recurrence rate. However, for facial blushing and sweating, results fall significantly under 50 percent. Many doctors have stopped recommending the procedure as an option for those suffering from facial hyperhidrosis.
