Post-operative care
As ETS is performed using minimally invasive techniques, recovery from the operation is usually rapid. Expect some initial chest discomfort, but this is readily brought under control with conventional pain relief. Most patients are reasonably comfortable within six hours of the procedure, though my preference is to keep patients in hospital overnight. Routine observations are undertaken by the nursing staff post-operatively. Pain relief is available to maintain comfort, and a normal diet is resumed within four hours of the operation. It is not uncommon to experience some pain between the shoulder blades 2 to 3 days after the procedure, made worse by coughing and sneezing. This usually responds to anti-inflammatories such as Nurofen.
Potential complications of ETS surgery
As with all surgical procedures, individual reactions to the operation varies. Our aim at North Western Vascular is to inform you of complications that may arise, even though the majority of patients do not experience them.
Rebound Hyperhidrosis
Rebound hyperhidrosis is the most feared complication. It involves an increase in sweating in areas of the body not affected by the sympathectomy, such as the lower torso, front or back. It occurs in as many as 30 – 40% of patients, but for most of these patients, it is not troublesome and settles spontaneously. However, in 2% of patients, rebound sweating can be severe, occurring spontaneously on the lower torso. Indeed, in rare cases, some patients may even regret they had the operation. Rebound hyperhidrosis, if it occurs, cannot be reversed with further surgery. In most patients but not all, rebound sweating gradually settles with time.
Pneumothorax or air around the lung may occur, but is rarely of any significance, and settles by itself. If the pneumothorax is large, it can cause breathlessness. Rarely, this may involve inserting a tube into the chest to alleviate the problem. This does not delay discharge as the tube is generally removed the following day, allowing discharge to proceed.
Horner’s Syndrome
Horner’s syndrome is a complication which can occur if the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye is ablated. This results in drooping of the eyelid (ptosis) and constriction of the pupil. Fortunately, this is exceedingly rare, occurring in less than one in 1000 cases.
Sharp chest pain, worse with coughing or sneezing, occurs 3 to 4 days after ETS and is due to inflammation of the lining of the lung (pleura). It may be perceived as a pulled muscle between the shoulder blades and is usually controlled with anti-inflammatories.
Dry Hands
Although this is the aim for many patients, those undergoing sympathectomy for other causes such as facial blushing or axillary hyperhidrosis may need to be warned of this. The problem of dry hands is generally easily remedied with hand creams and moisturisers.
Gustatory sweating or facial sweating following meals, particularly spicy foods, occurs to some extent in 5 to 10% of patients.
Bradycardia or slowing of the pulse may occur but is rarely of any clinical significance. ETS has no impact on exercise tolerance.
Dr Roger Bell at North Western Vascular specialises in performing ETS surgery. ETS is performed in a private hospital with an overnight stay. Surgery offers immediate and permanent relief from hyperhidrosis or Facial Blushing, and in many cases, can be a new beginning for sufferers.
At what hospital can Dr Roger Bell perform ETS surgery?
- John Fawkner Hospital, 275 Moreland Road, Coburg 3058
- Cabrini Hospital, 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern 3144
- Jessie McPherson Hospital, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168
Take the first step towards having dry hands. Make an appointment with Dr Bell to discuss your symptoms and how ETS can stop your hands from sweating.