Excessive Sweating Surgery (ETS Method)

It is performed under general anesthesia with a closed (endoscopic) method. The chest cavity is entered with a camera through a single 1-centimeter incision made in both armpits. The sympathetic nerve chain carrying the sweating command is found, and transmission is stopped by compressing it with titanium clips or cutting it.

ETS surgery provides a definitive success of over 95% in stopping excessive sweating, especially in the palms, armpits, and facial area (including facial blushing). For foot sweating, different nerve levels (lumbar sympathectomy) are generally required.

Because the body must maintain its temperature balance, when sweating in the hands or armpits is completely stopped, the body may create new sweating areas (reflex sweating) on the back, waist, belly, or legs to excrete this sweat. This condition is the most well-known side effect of the surgery, and patients should discuss this risk in detail with their doctors before the operation.