Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
03:59
Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy
Published on: January 10, 2019
Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for focal plantar hyperhidrosis using the clamping method
1The Center for Hyperhidrosis, Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA. center@sweaty-palms.com
Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques
|August 24, 2010
Summary
Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) effectively treats focal plantar hyperhidrosis. This surgical approach offers significant improvement in foot sweating with minimal complications and pain.
Area of Science:
- Surgical innovation
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
Background:
- Focal plantar hyperhidrosis lacks extensive surgical study.
- Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) is a potential treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bilateral endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) using the clamping method for focal plantar hyperhidrosis.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) with clamping at L2, L3, or L4 was performed on 63 patients.
- Patients had either primary plantar hyperhidrosis or prior thoracic sympathectomy.
Main Results:
- 96.6% of patients achieved total anhidrosis (cessation of sweating).
- Improvement in foot sweating was observed in all patients.
- Complications were rare, with minimal postoperative pain and no reported sexual dysfunction in males.
- Compensatory sweating remained unchanged in 91.1% of patients with prior thoracic sympathectomy and did not become severe in primary ELS cases.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) using the clamping method is a viable and effective treatment for focal plantar hyperhidrosis.
- This technique offers good results with low complication rates, even in patients with prior thoracic sympathectomy.
