Surgery for Excessive Sweating



There are a number of surgical interventions to assist with hyperhidrosis. Sweat glands may be cut out with surgical excision, or with liposuction, by a dermatologist. The other surgical alternative is Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS. It can be used to treat both underarm and palmar (hand) hyperhidrosis. This significant surgical procedure attempts to cut the nerves that send the “turning on” signal to sweat glands through a small incision, using a miniature camera and surgical tools.

ETS is performed while the patient is under general anaesthetic. A lung is collapsed so that the surgeon can destroy the nerve pathway associated with the overactive sweat glands. Once the first side has been treated, the procedure is repeated on the alternate side.

Risks of Surgery

Apart from the usual risks associated with surgery, there is up to a 4% risk that the treatment will not work. There is also risk of compensatory sweating. This is where excessive sweating starts to occur on the back, chest, abdomen, legs, face and buttocks as a side effect of the surgery. It is possible for this sweating to be equal to or more than the original problem.

Before you consider surgery you should discuss it seriously with your family doctor and a surgeon experienced in the procedure. You should be confident that you have exhausted all other treatment options. You must seriously weigh up the pros and cons of surgery and be informed of its significant risks.