If you have ever considered surgery as an option to treat your hyperhidrosis, the following is likely to peak your interest. Sympathectomy is a procedure used to lessen or stop the flow of neural transmission or innervation to a specific region of sweat glands, usually the palms, underarms, or facial region. This is often performed by either surgically cutting or physically clamping the 'overactive' nerves responsible for the excessive sweating. A recent study* has demonstrated that although cutting seems to provide better results, it is also associated with more compensatory sweating. |
According to the investigators the 'degree of post-operative sweating was lower in the cutting group....however the compensatory sweating was significantly more severe.' The study was done with almost 300 individuals that underwent sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. It can be assumed that similar results would be seen in sympathectomy for axillary hyperhidrosis. Results were compiled from questionnaires given to the patients. About one third (92) responded. Unfortunately the actual study results are not available at this point in time given that they have not been published. This information is very recent and was sourced from an 'epub ahead of print' version. We will follow-up once the study is published in the coming weeks. *Hida K, et al. Clin Auton Res 2015, May 14 (epub ahead of print) |