This procedure was described recently and I consider it experimental. It has been done by doctors in the Whitely Clinic in London, and is in my opinion, not considered standard of care in the U.S. Consider it like laser liposution 5 years ago in the U.S. It was being used as a marketing tool as it is chic to use lasers for everything, sometimes even if efficacy has not been proven. There is only case reports about this treatment strategy in the scientific hyperhidrosis literature. A case report means that less than a handful of procedures have been done in a single center by a surgeon/doctor and we consider such reports to be of anecdotal experience that requires rigorous investigation before it is considered standard of care. This means that they have to be compared to traditional treatments that have been vigorously studied.
Better options at the present time are suction curettage in the office which is very effective and sympathectomy.
DO NOT rush and have these procedures done without seeing someone who is able and is capable AND trained appropriately in providing every option of care for the specific type of hyperhidrosis you have. This includes topical therapy if appropriate, medication if appropriate, Botox if appropriate, suction curettage if appropriate, surgery if appropriate.
I believe that I have one of the best, if not the best Hperhidrosis centers in the US and as such, I follow an algorithm for proper care. This treatment algorithm has been developed over 10 years with a huge # of patients treated and is highly successful. I don't rush patients through it. You didn't develop this problem yesterday and you shouldn't have it treated tomorrow.
The prices, if you are the right candidate for them, is 6500 dollars (if you chose not to go through your insurance) for sympathectomy and $ 2400 for axillary suction curettage.
In summary, traditional suction curettage is very successful and laser curettage is associated with burn injury, is still experimental and considered a gimmick by those of us who specialize in the field. Things may change in the next several years.
