Hyperhidrosis
Excessive, uncontrollable sweating of the face, hands or palms, is called palmar hyperhidrosis. If it happens in the armpits it is called axillary hyperhidrosis. It may also happen in the face but usually it causes facial blushing. This medical condition is an extremely stressful, embarrassing, and confidence-wrecking problem. From ruined paperwork to slippery handshakes, sweaty palms can negatively impact your social life, education, and career.
You will be under a general anesthetic before surgery. This will make you asleep and pain-free.
The surgery is usually done the following way:
- The surgeon makes 2-4 tiny cuts (incisions) under one arm on the side where the excessive sweating occurs.
- Your lung on this side is deflated (collapsed) so that air does not move in and out of it during surgery. This gives the surgeon more room to work.
- A tiny camera called an endoscope is inserted through one of the cuts into your chest. Video from the camera shows on a monitor in the operating room. The surgeon views the monitor while doing the surgery.
- Other small tools are inserted through the other cuts.
- Using these tools, the surgeon finds the nerves that control sweating in the problem area. These are cut.
- Your lung on this side is inflated.
- The cuts are closed with stitches (sutures).
- A small drainage tube may be left in your chest for a day or so.
After doing this procedure on one side of your body, the surgeon may do the same on the other side. The surgery takes about 1 to 3 hours.
Surgery is successful 98-99% for the hands, 75% for the armpits and variable for the facial blushing.
You can usually go home on the same day of the operation.
You should not drive for 24 hours after the operation. You can go back to work usually after 2 days.
There are medications and non surgical options that should be considered before surgery. Dermatology opinion should be sought for topical, oral, LASER and iontophoresis.