Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy
for the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis (Sweaty Palms)

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Sweaty Palms, known medically as palmer hyperhidrosis, or excessive hand sweating, is the most common presentation of hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for perspiration that is greater than that needed to maintain normal body temperature. At Baptist, physicians perform a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy to help treat sweaty palms.

Sweaty palms occur when the body's thermostat stays elevated. To get rid of the resulting excess heat, sweat drips from hands, feet, underarms, or forehead. Sympathetic nerves control sweat; so when they are clipped or divided the sweating stops.

The thoracic sympathectomy is performed endoscopically. The surgeon makes two 5 mm incisions at the bottom of the armpit. The lung is permitted to fall away from the inside of the rib cage and a fiberoptic scope with a camera is inserted into the chest cavity. The lung is pushed aside, and the sympathetic chain identified. The camera provides magnification, so structures appear larger and in greater detail than they would to the naked eye. Utilizing a cautery device, the sympathetic nerve branches of the sympathetic chain are cut. The incisions are closed and an identical operation is performed on the other side.

The success rate for this type of procedure is typically about 98%.

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