Procedure | Surgical
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is surgery to treat sweating that is much heavier than normal. This condition is called hyperhidrosis. Usually the surgery is used to treat sweating in the palms or face. The sympathetic nerves control sweating. The surgery cuts these nerves to the part of the body that sweats too much.
Before the surgery:
• You may be asked to stop taking blood thinner drugs
• Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking increases the risk for problems such as slow healing.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic. A small incision is made beneath the armpit. A camera on a thin telescope is put into the chest to locate the nerves. After the nerves have been cut, the lung is re-expanded and the instruments removed. Sometimes a small drain (plastic tube) is left in the chest for a few hours to make sure all the air is removed from the chest cavity.
Most patients are able to return home within the day.
Expect some pain around the incision. Pain medications can be prescribed.
You will be required for a follow-up visit about a week postoperative.
No activity restriction and should be able to return to work the following week.
Results are usually immediate and have been effective in reducing sweating of the hands> While may be slightly less effective in areas like the armpits but still effective overall.
However, for some who have heavy armpit sweating, the procedure may not be effective.
Some people also notice sweating in new places on the body but would go away on its own.
Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general are:
• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems
• Bleeding, blood clots, or infection.
• Blood collection in the chest (hemothorax)
• Air collection in the chest (pneumothorax)
• Damage to arteries or nerves
• Increased sweating in other areas of the body (compensatory sweating)
• Slowing of the heartbeat
• Pneumonia
