Can you give me more information about ETS (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) surgery for hyperhidrosis and how to find a surgeon?

We often receive questions about ETS (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) surgery for excessive sweating and we certainly hope we can help you to make an informed decision.

If you haven’t already done so, please visit the Hyperhidrosis Treatments pages on this site. By reading the information on our Hyperhidrosis Treatments pages, you can better understand the different treatments available as well as their benefits and risks. In general, ETS surgery is considered a treatment of last resort for hyperhidrosis because it carries serious risks and side effects that are irreversible. There are other treatments, such as BOTOX injections and iontophoresis, that are highly effective and believed to be safer and that should be tried first, before surgery.

Before you make any decisions regarding surgery we recommend that you talk to a couple different types of doctors about their recommendations for you. Please consider talking to a dermatologist. In our experience, dermatologists tend to be among the most well-informed about hyperhidrosis and the current treatment options. Mention your thoughts about surgery and see what he or she has to say about it. The more information you have, the better choice you’ll be able to make.

For more information about the different types of doctors who treat hyperhidrosis, visit Choosing Your Doctor in our Getting Help area.