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Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy: a review

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Abstract

Hyperhydrosis and craniofacial blushing are common conditions, both being mediated by excess sympathetic activity. These conditions may be socially disabling and cosmetically unacceptable to a patient. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) has been developed as an effective and safe method of dealing with these patients and is now an established part of our surgical repertoire. This paper describes the technique and development of ETS and discusses alternative strategies.

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Correspondence to A. J. B. Kirk.

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An editor’s comment on this paper is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00238-006-0035-4.

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Robertson, A.G.N., Russell, A.M. & Kirk, A.J.B. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy: a review. Eur J Plast Surg 29, 73–78 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-006-0036-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-006-0036-3

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