Facts about Endoscopic Thoracis Sympathectomy (ETS)

Surgery to Treat Sweaty Feet

• This procedure is the only known permanent cure for sweaty feet.
• In most cases the procedure is reliable and safe.
• The procedure has become routine, with specialized doctors performing this procedure daily.
• Outpatients leave the clinic the same the clinic the same day as the surgery.
• Patients are back to unrestricted functioning within days.

• Under general anesthesia, a small 1 centimeter incision is made.
• Air is inserted through the chest cavity to push the lungs away from the area of operation. Air is still circulated through both lungs during this process.
• The endoscopic equipment consists of a fiber optic camera and a working instrument. At this point the endoscope is then inserted. The equipment is hooked up to full size TV screens for a full view of the working tissues. The sympathetic chain is located along the ribs head.
• Along the rib's head, the sympathetic chain is located.
• Once the procedure is concluded, the instruments are removed, and the lungs return back to their normal position.
• At the conclusion of surgery, the surgical area is sutured with dissolvable sutures. This avoids the uncomfortable step of later suture removal.
• This process is repeated on the side of the thoracic cavity.
• For most physicians, clamping is the preferred method as it makes possible the ability to reverse the procedure later. If the nerves were simply cut, reversal procedures are very difficult to perform. While this procedure has very positive effects for the majority of patients, some are very unhappy from the side effects. Side effects include cpmpensatory sweating.
• Most patients are able to leave the clinic the same day of the procedure. Unrestricted functioning usually occurs within 7 days. The scars are very small due to minimal incisions.