Dr. Jeganathan and colleagues published this data in Interactive Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery(volume 7) and noted that indications for performing ETS surgery were: for palmar hyperhidrosis (41%), axillary hyperhidrosis (17%), combined palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis (27%) and facial blushing+/-facial hyperhidrosis (15%). Success rates were for palmar hyperhidrosis 98.5%, axillary hyperhidrosis 96.4%, palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis 97.7% and facial blushing +/- facial hyperhidrosis 84%.

This series was notable for compensatory sweating in 77% of patients and its severity was related to the severity of the primary complaint, according to the authors.

The researchers showed that there was an improvement in quality of life was seen in 85%. A diminution of quality of life was noted in 5% due to compensatory sweating.

The conclusion was that this “large mature series demonstrates that bilateral thoracoscopic division of the sympathetic chain as opposed to resection can be performed effectively in patients with success rates higher than 90% and low recurrence rates” and high degree of improvement in the quality of life.