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Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy - Recovery

Alternative Names

Sympathectomy - endoscopic thoracic; ETC

After the Procedure:

Most people stay in the hospital 1 night and go home the next day. You may have pain for about a week. Take pain medicine as your doctor recommended. You may need acetaminophen (Tylenol) or prescription pain medicine. Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicine.

Keep your surgical cut areas clean, dry, and covered with dressings (bandages). Wash the areas and change the dressings as your doctor told you to do. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming for about 2 weeks.

Slowly resume your regular activities as you are able.

Your doctor will ask you to schedule a follow-up visit to inspect your incisions and to see if the surgery was successful.

Outlook (Prognosis):

This surgery improves the quality of life for most patients. It does not work as well for people who have very heavy armpit sweating. Some people may notice new sweating, but this may go away on its own.

  • Reviewed last on: 1/26/2011
  • Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Boley TM, Belangee KN, Markwell S, Hazelrigg SR. The Effect of Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy on Quality of Life and Symptom Management of Hyperhidrosis. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. March 2007;204(3).

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