What is Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy?
Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to treat excessive underarm sweating and/or the excessive sweating of the hands.
This treatment is also indicated for treating chronic facial flushing, characterized by sudden redness of the skin.
Sympathectomy is a technique used very frequently to treat hand hyperhidrosis, as it has a success rate very close to 100% and has an easy and quick recovery.
Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy Treatment
The surgery involves making two small incisions, approximately 1 cm long, in the rib area and armpit. Therefore, the scars are imperceptible.
After accessing the chest wall, the vascular surgeon selects and cuts or cauterizes the sympathetic nerves or nerve endings, using a camera to visualize them. The technique must be performed on both sides of the body.
In effect, the goal of this technique is to permanently interrupt the nerve impulses of the sweat glands and thus reduce excessive sweating or facial flushing. In other words, the "order to sweat" is interrupted.
The entire procedure is visualized in detail with the aid of a thoracoscope (a thin tube with a light and a fiber optic camera at the end). This allows the surgery to be performed with greater precision and safety.
Contraindications
Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is not indicated for patients who have:
- Cardiovascular problems;
- Pulmonary complications;
- Infections;
- Obesity.
Heavy smokers are also more prone to complications.
Procedure
1h
In the operating room, under general anesthesia
Patients are usually discharged on the same day.
Post-treatment
Recovery from sympathectomy is very comfortable. Patients report only slight pain in the scar area (underarm area).
Since the cuts made are very small, the scars are practically unnoticeable.
As with any surgery, there are some associated risks, the most common being compensatory sweating. The following may also occur, very rarely:
- Sensation of temporary numbness;
- Infection;
- Bleeding;
- Horner's syndrome (droopy eyelids and pupil problems);
- Lung injury.
Medical Specialist
in Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy
Dr. Joana de Carvalho
- Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- Specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery
- Fellow of the European Board of Vascular Surgery
- Member of the College of Phlebology
Specialist Doctor
in Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy
Prof. Doctor Sergio Sampaio
- Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- PhD from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- Specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery
- Fellow of the European Board of Vascular Surgery
Medical Specialist
in Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy
Dr. Filipa Jácome
- Specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery
- Master's Degree in Medicine, from the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS)
- Guest Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP)
- She was awarded 5 scientific merit awards.
English (UK)