Hyperhidrosis, more commonly known as excessive sweating, is a condition that millions of people worldwide experience. While sweating is essential for regulating body temperature, people with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively, often for no clear reason. This can be localized to a specific area such as the hands, feet, armpits, or face or it can be generalized and occur all over the body. The condition can impact a person’s quality of life, affecting their social interactions, work, and self-esteem. Let’s delve into the surgical solutions available to help combat this problem, including one method that is highly effective as a hyperhidrosis treatment for hands.
Surgical Options for Hyperhidrosis
For individuals who haven’t found relief from topicals, oral medications, and Botox, surgery may be an effective treatment option. There are two main types of surgical procedures commonly used to treat hyperhidrosis: ETS (Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy) and LUQ (Lumbar Sympathectomy).
ETS is a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon disrupts the communication between the spinal nerves and the sweat glands. The surgery involves making small incisions in the chest, inserting a thoracoscope – a thin tube fitted with a light and camera – and cutting or clamping the sympathetic nerve chain.
LUQ is a similar procedure but focuses on the lower body. The process involves interrupting the nerve paths that cause excessive sweating in the feet and groin.
Importantly, while these surgeries have proven effective in eliminating problematic sweating, they can cause compensatory hyperhidrosis, whereby a patient starts to experience excessive sweating in a different part of the body.
The Hyperhidrosis Treatment for Hands
Now, let’s focus on the hyperhidrosis treatment for hands. The most common surgical procedure for palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive hand sweating) is the ETS. This operation is generally very successful; studies have shown that up to 98% of patients experience dry hands after the surgery.
In the procedure, the surgeon will insert a thoracoscope into the chest wall, identifying the nerve responsible for triggering excessive sweating in the hands and then cutting or clamping the nerve. This blocks the nerve impulses that cause the hands to sweat excessively.
It’s worth noting that Prior to considering surgery, patients can try other non-invasive treatments such as antiperspirants, oral medications, iontophoresis (a treatment that uses electricity to block sweat glands), and Botox injections. Surgery is typically used as a last resort after other treatment methods have proven ineffective.
Conclusion
Treating hyperhidrosis —whether through medication, other therapeutic methods, or surgery— can significantly improve a person’s life, reducing the emotional distress and social embarrassment that often accompanies this condition. Patients, in consultation with their doctors, must objectively weigh the pros and cons of surgical intervention to make an informed decision.
Remember that you’re not alone if you are dealing with hyperhidrosis. Help is available, and new treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, are continually being developed and refined.