In order to alleviate hyperhidrosis, the surgeon must divide the overactive sympathetic nerves that cause the excessive perspiration. Thanks to developments in the field of endoscopic surgery, a procedure which uses small instruments and cameras that allow the surgeon to enter the body with minuscule incisions, the surgery can be performed with minor discomfort.
The patient is placed under general anaesthesia throughout the surgery, which lasts less than an hour. Recovery is also achieved in a short time, ranging from a day to a few days. Most people are able to return to work in week or two, depending on their individual comfort level.
Patients are not eligible for this surgery, if they suffer from severe cardio-respiratory illness, pleural disease or untreated thyroid diseases.
Diagram courtesy of Mr Mark Whitely
Below is a more detailed look at the surgery itself:
Any surgery has possible side effects, this is why most patients would prefer a course of Iontophoresis for palmer and planter hyperhidrosis and 'Botox' for axillary hyperhidrosis, before undertaking such an operation.
Compensatory sweating is the most common of side effects and occurs in a high percentage of cases, causing sweating on such areas as the chest, back, thighs and groin.
Another side effect, gustatory sweating, which occurs in about 10% of cases, has appeared with some patients. With this condition, patients notice that they tend to sweat while eating or smelling certain foods.
Complications are not common for this surgery, but they may include the following:
This is removal of the sweat glands. It is not commonly practiced as problems include incomplete removal and poor healing.
This operation cuts away at the skin and can cause large scars. There is also a risk that the wound will not heal well. It is not commonly practiced.
This surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic as an out-patient procedure and patients can return home immediately after the surgery and usually return to work the next day.
A small incision is made in the axillae and the sweat glands are literally scraped away.
Antibiotic ointment is introduced into the puncture wound which is not sutured and a wad of gauze is taped into the axillae.
Sweating ceases at once and as early as 4-6 weeks, the puncture incisions are almost invisible. By 4-6 months postoperatively, physiological sweating returns, but in most cases the Hyperhidrosis does not return.
A single treatment usually induces permanent improvement in most patients and cures some.
There are few specialists in this field of surgery in the UK, so please contact us for further details.
We would be most grateful if all practitioners of this surgery would contact us so that we are able to pass on this information to patients that are interested.
