Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (pronounced en-doh-SKOP-ik thor-uh-SIK sim-puh-THEK-tuh-mee), often abbreviated as ETS, is a surgical procedure that involves the interruption of the sympathetic nerve chain located in the thoracic region of the spine. The procedure is primarily used to treat conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), Raynaud's disease, and certain facial blushing disorders.
Etymology
The term "Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy" is derived from three words. "Endoscopic" comes from the Greek words "endon" (within) and "skopein" (to observe), referring to the use of an endoscope in the procedure. "Thoracic" is derived from the Greek word "thorax", referring to the chest region. "Sympathectomy" is a combination of "sympathetic" (pertaining to the sympathetic nervous system) and "-ectomy" (a suffix used in surgical terminology to denote the removal of a body part), referring to the interruption or removal of part of the sympathetic nerve chain.
Procedure
During an Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the chest wall, through which an endoscope is inserted. The surgeon uses the endoscope to visualize the sympathetic nerve chain, which is then interrupted using either a clip or by cutting. This prevents nerve signals from traveling along this pathway, thereby alleviating the symptoms of the conditions for which the procedure is performed.
Risks and Complications
Like all surgical procedures, Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy carries some risks. These may include infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding structures. One specific complication associated with ETS is compensatory sweating, where the body sweats more in other areas to compensate for the reduced sweating in the treated area.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
- Wikipedia's article - Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
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