University of Wisconsin Cardiovascular Surgery: The ETS Sympathectomy Procedure

Micro-Invasive Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)

Introduction

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can affect up to 3% of the population. It usually begins early in life, and 50 to 60 percent of hyperhidrosis patients have a family history of the disorder.

Hyperhidrosis can occur almost anywhere on the body. Usually, it affects the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or the underarms. These symptoms can be socially and professionally debilitating.

Medical treatment options for hyperhidrosis include:

Biofeedback
Iontophoresis (applying a low-intensity electric current while the affected areas are immersed in an electrolyte solution)
Topical antiperspirants
Medical therapy
Botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections (Botox® injections are offered at UW Hospital by an expert plastic surgeon, Karol Gutowski, MD

However, not all patients respond to these treatments. For patients with severe hyperhidrosis, surgery is the treatment of choice. Surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis is performed at UW Hospital by a specially-trained thoracic surgeon, Tracey Weigel, MD.

Surgeons at the University of Wisconsin now perform a new, minimally invasive procedure to safely and effectively treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure is known as Micro-Invasive Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). It involves removing the portions of the sympathetic nerve chain that cause the excessive sweating.

National studies have reported the success rates for ETS sympathectomy at 100% for hyperhidrosis of the hands; 98% for for hyperhidrosis of the underarms, and 82% for hyperhidrosis of the feet. (Doolabh et al. Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis: Indications and Results. Ann Thorac Surg. 2004;77:410-414.)

At UW, our thoracic surgeons have specialized training and outstanding results performing ETS sympathectomy. We have provided numerous patients throughout the Midwest permanent relief from this embarrassing disorder.