sympathectomy

A sympathectomy is a surgical procedure that involves interrupting or removing some parts of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like sweating, blood flow, and heart rate. It is typically performed to treat certain conditions such as severe excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), then narrowing blood vessels (like in peripheral artery disease), or uncontrolled blood pressure. By disrupting specific nerves, the procedure helps reduce symptoms or abnormal responses. It is usually done with minimally invasive techniques, such as small incisions and specialized tools, to improve quality of life when other treatments haven't been effective.