What happens during ETS surgery?
Different surgeons have different techniques for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. But the aim of this procedure is to destroy part of the sympathetic nerve. The most common method is called Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). You would be given a general anaesthetic (put to sleep) while you have the operation. The surgeon would then make two or three cuts in your armpit (each would be less than a centimetre long). An endoscope (a bit like a very small bendy tube with a mini camera at the end is put through one hole. Through the other holes instruments are inserted. The surgeon will use this equipment to find the right part of the nerve and then to remove it. One of your lungs will have to be collapsed during this surgery so that the surgeon has room to move around. After the surgery your lung will be re-expanded and then the holes will be closed up. You will then be turned over so that the surgeon can operate on the other side. This surgery should help hand and armpit sweating.
