Question 1

What are the benefits of ETS?

Accepted Answer

The ETS procedure stops excessive hand sweating in almost 100% of cases. Other options such as Ion and Botox are less effective and provide temporary benefit only.

Question 2

What is the success rate following ETS?

Accepted Answer

For sweaty hands it is very close to 100%, importantly the benefit is permanent.

Question 3

What are the potential complications of the procedure?

Accepted Answer

We do everything to make this procedure as safe as possible. Compensatory sweating (CS) is where you now sweat more in another area of your body. This is common (30-40%), but generally mild. However, in one in 50 cases, CS can be troublesome, equal to or worse than the original problem. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to predict.

Horner's Syndrome (droopy eye lid and constricted pupil) is extremely rare, occurring in less than 1 in 1000 cases.

Gustatory sweating is where you sweat on your face following eating, particularly in response to spicy foods. 3% of patients and is generally mild.

Question 4

How long will I need to stay in hospital?

Accepted Answer

Almost all patients stay overnight and are discharged the following morning. If the procedure is performed early in the day, patients can go home the same day, as long as a responsible adult is at home to care for the patient.

Question 5

How much time off work will I require?

Accepted Answer

Recommended is one week off work, especially if the work is of a physical nature. Some chest and back pain are common in the first week, and often requires anti-inflammatory medications such as Nurofen to control the pain. A number of patients return to work earlier.

Question 6

How long after the procedure can I fly?

Accepted Answer

Most patients are fit to fly 3-4 days after the procedure.

Question 7

How is ETS performed?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways of performing a sympathectomy, including cutting the nerve, clamping the nerve, excising or ablating the nerve. At NWV, we apply the ablation (by electro-cautery) method.

Question 8

What is the cost of the procedure?

Accepted Answer

There is an out-of-pocket expense which varies depending on your fund and level of cover. With no private health cover, it can be an expensive undertaking. Please contact our team and we will provide financial disclosures.

Question 9

In which hospitals is the procedure performed?

Accepted Answer

Several hospitals including John Fawkner Private Hospital-Coburg; Monash Medical Centre (Jessie MacPherson Private Hospital) -Clayton; Cabrini Private Hospital- Malvern. All hospitals deliver top class facilities supported by excellent Nursing Care.

Question 10

Is there a specific treatment for sweaty feet?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar sympathectomy, performed as an open procedure, involves incisions on each side of the abdomen in order to approach the sympathetic chain. The operation takes approximately one hour, is performed under general anaesthesia, requires 2 to 3 days in hospital, and up to 4 weeks of recovery. The success rate is very high (greater than 95%), and complications are rare.

Sweaty Hands