National Center of Excellence for Hyperhidrosis Treatment
ETS Surgery for Hyperhidrosis in Ireland - A 4 Year Follow-up for Quality of Life Indicators and Compensatory Sweating
By: Hratch Karamanoukian, MD and Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
August 12, 2008
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.
Dr. Karamanoukian's comment: This is another study that details 1) success rates for hyperhidrosis surgery using ETS especially for the types of presentation, such as surgery for axillary hyperhidrosis or surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis, etc.; 2) it details, at least from this study, the percentage of patients whose quality of life improved or deteriorated after ETS surgery; and 3) that success for facial blushing after ETS is around 84%. In essence, a good study with informative data that should help any patient contemplating to have ETS for hyperhidrosis and facial blushing.
For more information about hyperhidrosis and its treatment alternatives, contact Dr. Karamanoukian at www.EliminateSweating.com or call 716-839-3638 to speak to Dr. Karamanoukian or Sue, the Nurse Practitioner.
# # #
For more information about hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) , as well as surgical and non-surgical hyperhidrosis treatment options, contact Dr. Karamanoukian at The Center for Excessive Sweating, a National Center of Excellence for Hyperhidrosis Treatment by email or by phone at (716) 839-3638.
