I am a researcher currently undertaking the impossible task of compiling and analyzing information that has been written about ETS or Sympathectomy. My fascination started when I realized that there are irreconcilable differences between the advocates/surgeons of ETS and those who investigate the various effects of sympathectomy. Being science, this dichotomy needs to be reconciled through independent studies and trials that can objectively evaluate the effects of the procedure. My fascination continued when I realized that although is it offered (in most cases) as a surgery to control sweating - often stating that it will affect only sweating/skin, - it soon became clear that sympathectomy is being (heavily) marketed for the trivial and severe heath conditions, - physiological and psychological. The fact that patients undergoing surgery for sweaty hands also undergo the same surgery as patients for Angina Pectoris, Long QT Syndrome, Cancer Pain, etc seemed like a very unlikely claim. Until I delved in some more.
Questions:
If just cutting the sympathetic chain/ganglia has so many various effects and results, how can it be administered to someone who has only hand sweating? Are they having a heart surgery at the same time? Do they know about it? Are they told? Are they told that they are getting also treatment for anxiety, and that it will calm them? Shouldn't the patient be asked if they want to be sedated permanently?
The other question is: If the sympathetic nervous system is a closed system, and the main sympathetic chain/communication channel has been cut, how can it still function undisturbed and maintain the body's homeostasis? Does it? AND: HOW?!
If you would like to know more about the various adverse effects of sympathectomy, go to my blog where I posted some of my research: http://sympathectomy.blogspot.com/ Don't worry, I am not selling anything and not benefiting from you having a look at the site. There you will also find links to the original articles, journals and books.