New Treatment Option for Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person produces excessive amounts of sweat, commonly on the face, underarms, hands or feet. The disorder affects up to 1% of the population, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. In its severe form, hyperhidrosis can affect the individual's ability to interact socially, maintain certain types of employment and generally interfere with many normal day-to-day activities.

How much sweat the body produces - and when - is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, which sends messages to sweat glands throughout the body via the sympathetic nervous system. These nerves are located in the chest cavity, along with other important nerves that control sensations such as touch, temperature and pain.

A surgical procedure known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) has proven to be an effective treatment for many suffering from hyperhidrosis. In the ETS procedure, the thoracic surgeon interrupts the function of the sympathetic nerves that cause excessive sweating, while preserving function of surrounding nerves.

With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgery is performed without opening the chest, by way of several tiny (1-2 cm) incisions. State-of-the-art surgical instruments, connected to robotic arms, are passed through the incisions to access the surgical site. The robotic arms are totally controlled by the surgeon and provide superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, increased precision and ergonomic comfort.

For most patients, robotic-assisted surgery offers substantial benefits, including:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Less pain
• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to everyday activities

To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery, see the frequently asked questions section of this web site. To inquire about specific services, please click here or call our Second Opinion Program at 888-973-2663.