The most commonly used surgical technique for hyperhidrosis is known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. This procedure has been shown to be effective in the treatment of excess sweating, though there are side-effects and risks to the surgery. The surgery has been shown to be effective to stop sweaty palms, stop sweaty hands, stop sweaty underarms, and stop excessive facial sweating. Overall, the surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
Studies on endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy have shown the procedure to reduce increased sweating in the majority of patients. In one study of 850 patients, 98% of the patients said that the results of the surgery were satisfactory, (1) while another study of 233 patients showed satisfactory results in 95% of patients (2). In the second study, however, only 67% of patients were satisfied after a long term follow up. In both studies, there were no major adverse outcomes.
Side Effects of Sympathectomy for Excessive Sweating
In the study mentioned above, the main side effects included:
- Hemothorax (blood in the thoracic cavity, behind the lungs) in 1% to 2%
- Recurrence of symptoms in 2%
Another common side-effect of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is increased sweating in other areas of the body. This is known as compensatory sweating. The studies above found compensatory sweating in 55% and 67% of individuals, which was primarily located on the trunk. However, only 2% stated that this side-effect was as bad as the original hyperhidrosis.
Useful Links :
• 1. Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy: An efficient and safe method for the treatment of hyperhidrosis
• 2. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis of the upper limbs
