J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2008 Nov;35(6):709-715.

Long Term Follow Up of Surgical Treatment of Axillary Osmidrosis and Hyperhidrosis by Instrumental Shaving and Manual Shaving

• Kim KY
• Cho SD

Abstract

PURPOSE: Axillary osmidrosis is caused by excessive apocrine gland secretion, which causes an unpleasant odor. Axillary osmidrosis causes difficulty in social activities and personal handicap. We studied the long term follow up results of our surgical procedures and sought to find a best surgical treatment methods.
METHODS
From January 1991 to December 2006, a total of 1864 patients(587 men, 1277 women) had been treated with this procedure for axillary osmidrosis and hyperhidrosis. Follow up periods varied from 10 to 15 years. We used the subdermal excision technique, using two small incisions over the axilary folds and using a Kawata dissector(instrumental shaving) and additional manual subdermal excision(manual shaving).
RESULTS
Among the total patients, 782 patients were followed up. Except a pure hyperhidrosis patients, 759 osmidrosis patients was included. 588 patients(77.4%) had a good results, 148 patients(19.5%) had a moderate results and 23 patients(3.1%) had a recurrence. Complication developed in 189 patients(10.1%): hematoma or seroma in 25 patients, wound dehiscence in 86 patients, partial skin necrosis in 45 patients, and infection in 28 patients.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that our method has several advantages such as 1) short operation time, 2) minimal scaring, 3) lower complication rates, 4) high satisfactory rates.

Keyword

Osmidrosis; Axillary hyperhidrosis; Kawata dissector

MeSH Terms

Apocrine Glands
Follow-Up Studies
Hematoma
Humans
Hyperhidrosis
Male
Necrosis
Odors
Recurrence
Seroma
Skin