Results of Surgical Treatment for Excessive Sweating

Immediate results of Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) are quite good. The literature states that over 90% of patients who undergo the procedure indicate they would ask for the operation if it were to be redone.  Our experience is that the patients have been extremely satisfied with the procedure and results.

Overall, the surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of sweaty palms, sweaty hands, and sweaty underarms.

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).

The main side effects include hemothorax (blood in the thoracic cavity, behind the lungs) in 1% to 2%, recurrence of symptoms in 2%, and compensatory sweating (increased sweating in other areas of the body) in 55% to 67% of patients.