Hyperhydrosis

    Hyperhydrosis  is an unusual condition which results in excessive sweating of the hands and feet. At times the face may be involved. This problem is socially embarrassing and presents functional problems for the sufferer as well. Excessive facial blushing can occur in some individuals.

    Although excessive sweating can result from certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and polyneuropathy, in the vast majority of individuals there is no known cause. The incidence is probably greater in Orientals and rarely, the disorder is familial.

    In our experience, the impact of HH of the lives of patients is greatly underestimated by the medical community. Unfortunately, the ease and effectiveness of sympathectomy is also largely unappreciated.

    The medical treatments for hyperhydrosis include:  

    These measures fail in the most refractory cases. A simple, surgical procedure is available which permanently ends sweating in the hands: endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). Interruption of the sympathetic nerves in the upper chest cavity stops hand sweating and reduces sweating in the face and sometimes the feet in the vast majority of patients. Pathological blushing responds as well.

Leriche first described interruption of the sympathetic nerves to treat HH in 1934 and endoscopic techniques were initially developed by Kux and reported in 1954. Our experience with ETS began in 1990. Sympathectomy does not cause loss of sensation or weakness.

	The surgeons introduces a small endoscope through a 1/2 inch incision under each arm. The appropriate nerve ganglion is coagulated and the patient returns home after an overnight stay in the hospital.

    Virtually all patients immediately develop warm, dry hands and leave the hospital the following morning. Complications are rare. Recurrence of sweating is less than 5%, infections and other complications very unusual. Horner's syndrome, (drooping of the eye lid and a small pupil size) does not occur after interruption of the T2 or T3 ganglia.  About 1/3 of individuals develop excessive sweating on the lower chest or abdominal wall, so-called compensatory hyperhydrosis. For most this is well tolerated and accepted in lieu of sweaty hands. 

 HOME    CONTACT Kenneth Ott, MD, Neurosurgical Medical Clinic, Inc.