Hyperhidrosis, otherwise known as excessive sweating, is a condition that affects a sizeable number of people globally. While sweating is a natural and healthy biological process, excessive sweating creates discomfort, both physically and socially. There are several non-surgical treatments available, such as antiperspirants, oral medications, and iontophoresis, but when these fail to alleviate the symptoms, surgery becomes a viable solution. In this article, we will be understanding what hyperhidrosis surgery is, how it works, and specifically, the treatment for hyperhidrosis hands.
What is Hyperhidrosis Surgery?
Hyperhidrosis surgery, also known as sympathectomy, is a procedure designed to control excessive sweating. It primarily involves removing or disrupting the sympathetic nerves responsible for stimulating sweat glands. There are different types of surgeries performed based on the area affected by hyperhidrosis – palmar (hands), axillary (underarms), or plantar (feet).
How Does it Work?
The concept behind hyperhidrosis surgery is to control the nerve signals that prompt the sweat glands to produce sweat. This procedure is often done endoscopically, meaning a tiny camera is used to navigate and locate the nerve routes. Once the nerve paths are located, the surgeon can then cut or clamp them. Clamping is preferred since it’s reversible if any adverse effects arise post-surgery.
What to Expect
Generally, hyperhidrosis surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you are discharged on the same day. Following the surgery, patients may experience some pain and chest tightness, which is temporary and can be managed with medications. Side effects can include compensatory sweating (excessive sweating in other parts of the body) and Horner’s syndrome (a rare syndrome that affects your face and eyes.)
Treatment for Hyperhidrosis Hands
Moving on to the treatment for hyperhidrosis hands, or palmar hyperhidrosis, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the most commonly employed surgical procedure. As mentioned earlier, this procedure targets the nerves that send signals to sweat glands in your hands.
ETS involves making small incisions in the chest area. Through these incisions, the surgeon inserts a miniature camera and other surgical tools to locate and disconnect the sympathetic nerves that stimulate excessive sweating in hands. After the surgery, patients often notice an immediate reduction in sweating.
Risks and Considerations
Like any surgical procedure, hyperhidrosis surgery does carry the risk of potential complications. These can range from allergic reactions to anesthesia to more specific risks related to the surgery itself, like compensatory sweating or Horner’s syndrome. Additionally, while not all patients experience immediate relief from symptoms, most report a significant reduction in sweating post-surgery. Therefore, it’s essential to have a detailed discussion with your doctor about the benefits and risks before opting for this procedure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when non-surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis prove ineffective, surgery can offer a more long-term solution. Specifically, surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis hands has shown being capable of significantly reducing symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life. However, like any surgical intervention, it’s not without its risks, and patients must make an informed decision with their healthcare provider.