An endoscopic sympathectomy is a surgery on the nerves that's less invasive than standard techniques. It treats health issues caused by overactive sweat glands.
Special nerve fibers along the spinal cord activate these sweat glands. These are the sympathetic chain. The surgery stops nerve signals from the spine from turning on the sweat glands.
An endoscopic sympathectomy is a spinal surgery on the nerves that uses less-invasive techniques.
The doctor operates on a bundle of nerves all along the side of the spinal cord called the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain has three sections, all of which are accessible using this type of surgery:
The surgery uses an endoscope — a tube that lets the doctor operate through two small cuts instead of a large opening. The endoscope has a video camera and a light that allows them to see what they're doing. In the second cut, the surgeon can feed tools to do their work.
This state-of-the-art approach makes for a quicker and more comfortable recovery.
An endoscopic sympathectomy can treat health issues caused by overactive sweat glands. These include the following:
This technique also treats other health issues caused by damage to these nerves.
Endoscopic sympathectomy is for people with excessive sweating or other health issues related to the sympathetic chain. An ideal candidate sweats so much they are uncomfortable to the point where it limits the activities they can enjoy. It can also include people who experience excessive sweating after trying all other treatments.
All procedures carry some degree of risk, such as with anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and blood clots.
According to the National Library of Medicine, complications of an endoscopic sympathectomy can include:
During the surgery, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the back and inserts two small instruments. The endoscope in one shows the surgeon what they're doing on a monitor in the operating room. They use a dissecting tool through the other incision to clamp off nerves.
The surgeon uses clamps to shut off the nerves rather than taking them out. The clamps let the doctor reverse it if side effects are a problem. Though the need for reversal is rare, using clamps gives people this option.
Most people leave the hospital within hours after the surgery. They typically have a minimal recovery period.
People who get endoscopic sympathectomy have sight soreness and bruising around the incisions. Most people can get back to normal activities within one to two weeks.
Medically reviewed by John J. Moossy, MD on 9-10-24.
