Former ETS patients considering ELS often wonder about potential interactions between these two procedures. Only a small number of patients who underwent ELS after having ETS years earlier reported a temporary and a short increase in the status of their dry hands. For reasons that remain unclear, this phenomenon was observed in very few patients and was consistently short-lived.
Clinical observations show that the ELS effect on ETS patients varies significantly based on individual anatomical differences. The lumbar sympathetic chain configuration differs among patients, which explains why some experience improved buttocks sweating while others see minimal change. The reason for inconsistency is based on a different anatomical configuration of the lumbar sympathetic chain which can be different from one patient to another.
Most importantly, compensatory sweating levels typically remain stable after ELS in former ETS patients. This stability suggests that ELS does not significantly alter the compensatory sweating patterns established after the initial ETS procedure. The temporary nature of any changes observed reinforces that ELS generally maintains the existing balance of the sympathetic nervous system in these patients.
Former ETS patients should discuss their specific medical history and expectations with their surgeon to understand how ELS might affect their individual situation.