Results & Recovery after Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy

Due to the use of general anaesthetic during the ETS procedure you will have to remain in hospital for up to a day after your surgery.  This is to ensure that you haven’t suffered an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, and to ensure that you are fit enough to leave.  You will be given strong painkillers throughout this period in order to manage any pain that you might experience after your surgery.

It is likely that you will have to continue to take some form of routine pain control for up to two weeks after your surgery. 


Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) Results

The ETS process can be used to target specific areas of sweat glands, by cutting the nerves in certain areas.  However, it is not recommended that you use ETS to treat plantar hyperhidrosis.  There is not a high success rate for this form of hyperhidrosis and it is normally recommended that you pursue other options.  The part of the nerve responsible for sweat within the feet is very close to that which provides you with fertility, as a result it is possible that you could be made impotent if something should go wrong.

ETS when used for palmar hyperhidrosis is very successful indeed, with an estimated 95% chance of your problem being completely cleared up through the use of ETS.  The second most successful treatment through ETS is believed to be facial sweating.

If ETS is used for axillary sweating there are varying success rates.  Some people find that there is little point in the surgery as the compensatory sweating is the same, or worse, than the axillary hyperhidrosis was initially.  Generally you are unlikely to have ETS as a treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis, other treatments are much more preferable. 

The success rates of ETS are generally good, although you will need to take into account the side effects and risks that could occur if your surgery did happen to be the small percent to go wrong. 

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