Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes unpredictable and excessive sweating independent of heat or exercise. The condition can cause anxiety and embarrassment, but a procedure known as thoracic surgery can help.
What is Thoracic Surgery?
Thoracic surgery is a category of medicine that involves operations related to the chest and internal organs like the heart, esophagus, and lungs. Thoracic surgery is also used to treat hyperhidrosis.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis can be focal or generalized. Focal hyperhidrosis refers to abnormal sweating that occurs in a particular area of the body like the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. Generalized hyperhidrosis involves heavy sweating that affects the entire body.
Are You a Good Candidate for Hyperhidrosis Treatment?
Thoracic surgery is recommended for hyperhidrosis when you experience frequent sweating, clammy or sweaty hands, clammy or wet soles, sweat-soaked clothing, and sweating resulting in skin irritation.
Hyperhidrosis affects millions of Americans and usually starts during adolescence. Hyperhidrosis treatment is safe, effective, and completely alleviates problems related to excessive sweating.
During the hyperhidrosis procedure, which is also referred to as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), your general surgeon will seek to sever the nerves that lead to excessive sweating.
General anesthesia is used during ETS for your comfort and safety. Your surgeon makes two to three tiny incisions under one of your arms, near where the abnormal sweating occurs. Your lung on that side is then deflated to give the surgeon room to work.
A tiny camera is inserted into one of the incisions, which displays your inner organs on a monitor during the surgery. Other specialized tools are inserted through the incisions, whereby the nerves that control sweating are clipped or cut.
Once the surgery is finished, your lung is reinflated, the incisions are closed, and a small drainage tube may be left in your chest for a day or two.
Your surgeon may opt to proceed to the other side to complete the thoracic surgery. The overall procedure can take one to three hours to complete.
Contact a Thoracic Surgeon in Los Angeles
If you suffer from abnormal sweating due to hyperhidrosis, Dr. Moeinolmolki can help you learn more about this issue and the benefits and risks of thoracic surgery. Schedule a consultation today at the Beverly Century Surgery Center.