What is the Main Benefit of Having a Sympathectomy?

Most people sweat upon physical exertion, or during moments of stress or excitement. People with hyperhidrosis, however, may sweat more or less constantly, or at least, may sweat even though there is no apparent cause.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body’s sympathetic nervous system is not able to properly regulate the temperature of the hands and feet, and sometimes other locations as well. The result is that the feet and hands, and sometimes the back, chest, and armpits, are constantly wet with sweat. People with hyperhidrosis may also produce excess saliva and blush excessively.

Common treatments for the condition include the use of heavy antiperspirants as well as oral medication. However these are not permanent cures and for some people are entirely ineffective.

The Sympathectomy Procedure

Sympathectomy is a simple, minimally invasive procedure that can permanently cure the excessive sweating that is caused by hyperhidrosis. Sympathectomy was once a major procedure that required opening up the chest cavity, but this is no longer necessary, due to advances in laparoscopic surgery.

During a sympathectomy a portion of the sympathetic nerve chain in the back is isolated. The nerve chain is cut and cauterized at a single point on the back, with the effect that the nerve signal which causes excessive sweating is permanently severed.

Main Benefit of Having a Sympathectomy

Sympathectomy is carried out mainly as a treatment for hyperhidrosis. However, it can also be used as a treatment for Raynaud’s phenomenon, a disorder which causes discoloration of the toes and fingers.

The main benefit of having a sympathectomy is simply that much of the excessive sweating associated with hyperhidrosis stops. The procedure works almost instantly; in fact most patients find that when they wake from anesthesia, areas of the body that would normally be sweaty are already feeling dry and warm. Sympathectomy usually cures all excessive sweating in the armpits and hands and in addition it may decrease sweating of the feet.

Sympathectomy Side Effects

Up to 50% of people who undergo sympathectomy may experience a phenomenon called compensatory hyperhidrosis. When this occurs, other parts of the body, such as the chest or legs, sweat excessively. This is often a temporary effect, but in some cases is permanent.

Rarely, patients may experience gustatory sweating, meaning that sweating increases when they eat. Another rare side effect is Horner’s syndrome, in which slight nerve damage causes facial sweating and droopy eyelids.

References

American Sympathectomy Institute at the University of Maryland: Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

National Institute of Health MedlinePlus: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy

University of Maryland Medical Center, Thoracic Surgery Division: Hyperhidrosis