Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)
The “NO SWEAT” Technique
Sweaty palms, armpits and even face can be permanently treated by a procedure known as Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and two 5mm incisions are made on each side of the chest to allow access into the chest cavities.
With the aid of a camera mounted on the thoracoscope, the sympathicotonic chains are visualized and duly clipped using titanium clips at the level of the second and third thoracic vertebra.
The results are usually instantaneous and the patient can leave the hospital on the same day with warm and dry hands. The overall success rate is close to 100%.
Description
In all humans, sweating is an automatic process. In some people, however, natural perspiration is excessive, leading to a condition known as hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis (hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis) is abnormally excessive sweating that’s not necessarily related to heat or exercise. Hyperhidrosis, also known as polyhidrosis or sudorrhea, is a condition characterized by excessive sweating. The sweating can affect just one specific area or the whole body. You may sweat so much that it soaks through your clothes or drips off your hands.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
The excessive sweating associated with hyperhidrosis is normally most active in the hands, feet, armpits, and the groin because of their relatively high concentration of sweat glands.
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Focal hyperhidrosis: When the excessive sweating is localized. For example, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the palms and soles.
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Generalized hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating affects the entire body.
Causes of primary hyperhidrosis
People used to think that primary hyperhidrosis was linked to the patient’s mental and emotional state, that the condition was psychological and only affected stressed, anxious, or nervous individuals.
However, recent research has demonstrated that individuals with primary hyperhidrosis are no more prone to feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or emotional stress than the rest of the population when exposed to the same triggers.
In fact, it is the other way round – the emotional and mental feelings experienced by many patients with hyperhidrosis are because of the excessive sweating.
Studies have also shown that certain genes play a role in hyperhidrosis, making it look more likely that it could be inherited. The majority of patients with primary hyperhidrosis have a sibling or parent with the condition.
