Relief from plantar hyperhidrosis following the T3 sympathectomy procedure is very fast.  The results are also very satisfying for the patient. The decline in palmar perspiration is the same as with the T2 method. However it has been observed that the general approval rating of patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis that undertake Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS is greater.

Surgical treatment for Hyperhidrosis disorders should always be considered only as a last resort. Although surgery outcomes are encouraging, there have been one too many unhappy endings out there to make for comfortable reading.

A favorable outcome depends on many factors. Factors such as the patient’s condition, the patient’s individual expectations after surgery, the skill of the surgeon, and the knowledge and communication efficiency between the patient and the physician are critical.

Up to now it is essential that anybody who is considering Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS surgery gather as much understanding about the process as possible.  The necessities and adverse effects of the surgery should be weighed properly and accordingly.  Potential patients should gain sufficient and specific information about their condition before deciding to put themselves under the knife. They must also take as much impartial advice as possible. Opinions by specialists and people who have undergone the surgery can prove to be invaluable. Discussion forums are very useful and helpful in shaping a good understanding of the disorder and its many treatments. Finally, the most important choice regards the surgeon who will perform the surgical procedure. The selection must be based on the surgeon’s experience and the favorable feedback by his or her patients.

In the past decades, operations to perform a sympathectomy have historically been performed in many different ways. One of the old methods is performed through the back, with resectioning of a piece of rib on both sides of the spine. Another procedure is made by using a chest incision or thoracotomy where the chest is opened up. A third procedure involves making an incision in the patient’s neck.

Recent advancements in sympathectomy is done via video-assisted or thoracoscopy procedure. This process has also been known as ETS or VATS surgery. Basically it is the same surgery or procedure. However, the surgeon may utilize different procedures. The thoracoscopic method gives the surgeon an easier access to the sympathetic chain. This procedure also gives the patient less pain and discomfort, and it also offers a faster recovery time. Since this surgery is an outpatient procedure, younger patients can now undertake this particular surgical method. The youngest patient that we have performed this surgery on was only 9 years old. The surgery was a success and there were no untoward reactions.

What used to entail a hospital stay of a number of days can today be accomplished on an outpatient basis. Most individuals who undergo the procedure can go home in just a few hours after the surgery. However, if you are coming in from out of state it is wise to plan ahead and set aside at least four days. This method is a thoracic surgical procedure.  As such, the surgeon would have to make sure that the patient is healing properly before allowing him or her to travel on an airplane. Abrupt changes in cabin pressure may have a negative effect on patients who undergo this surgery.

Surgical methods for hyperhidrosis have gotten much better in recent years.  The permanent cutting of nerves can now be replaced with clamping techniques. Clamping techniques may be reversible should the CS prove to be too serious. Some surgeons have developed a system that still involves sectioning or removing the relative nerves and ganglia causing hyperhidrosis. Surgeons who carry out this particular method claim a one hundred percent success rate surgically. They also claim to have much smaller rates of side effects as compared to surgeons who to use other methods. It is however very necessary that patients always make their own careful inquiries before agreeing to undergo any medical procedure.