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Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy - Risks

Alternative Names

Sympathectomy - endoscopic thoracic; ETC

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for any surgery are:

Risks for this procedure are:

  • Blood collection in the chest (hemothorax)
  • Damage to arteries or nerves
  • Horner syndrome (decreased facial sweating and drooping eyelids)
  • Increased or new sweating
  • Increased sweating in other areas of the body (compensatory sweating)

Surgeons who perform ETS must receive special training. Before having this surgery, make sure your surgeon has this training.

  • 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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