Ann Dermatol.  2014 Dec;26(6):755-757. 10.5021/ad.2014.26.6.755.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Axillary Osmidrosis Using a Combination of Subcutaneous Tissue Removal and a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG Laser

• Lee SG
• Ryu HJ
• Kim IH

• KMID: 2264874
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2014.26.6.755

Abstract

Many treatment modalities have been developed for axillary osmidrosis. It is well known that the surgical treatment has the best results. However, there is a high possibility of side effects. The 1,444-nm lipolysis laser has been recently introduced to remove the apocrine glands. So far, subdermal coagulation treatment with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser may be the least invasive and most effective therapy for axillary osmidrosis. However, according to our previous experience, the recurrence rate was 20%~30%. This emphasizes the need for combination of surgical method and non-surgical method and we combined subcutaneous tissue removal and photothermocoagulation with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser. Three patients for bilateral axillary osmidrosis were enrolled. After an incision of about one-third the length of the widest transverse diameter, the apocrine glands were separated from the skin. And then apocrine glands within the marked area were destroyed by irradiation with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser thereafter. All patients exhibited no relapse of axillary osmidrosis and were satisfied with the treatment results. A combination of subcutaneous tissue removal and Interstitial laser photothermocoagulation with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser could be an effective treatment for mild to moderate axillary osmidrosis.

Keyword

1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser; Axillary osmidrosis

MeSH Terms

Apocrine Glands
Humans
Lipolysis
Recurrence
Skin
Subcutaneous Tissue*
Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 During the laser surgery.

• 

  Fig. 2 Immediate after the operation.

Reference

1. Perng CK, Yeh FL, Ma H, Lin JT, Hwang CH, Shen BH, et al. Is the treatment of axillary osmidrosis with liposuction better than open surgery? Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004; 114:93–97.

2. Jung SK, Jang HW, Kim HJ, Lee SG, Lee KG, Kim SY, et al. A prospective, long-term follow-up study of 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser: a new modality for treating axillary bromhidrosis. Ann Dermatol. 2014; 26:184–188.

3. Byeon JH, Wee SS, Lim P. Histolotgical location, size and distribution of apocrine glands in axillary osmidrosis. J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg. 1988; 15:419–425.

4. Kim D, Kim J, Yeo H, Kwon H, Son D, Han K. Treatment of axillary osmidrosis using a subcutaneous pulsed Nd-YAG laser. Arch Plast Surg. 2012; 39:143–149.

5. Tark KC, Jung JE, Song SY. Superior lipolytic effect of the 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser: comparison with the 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Lasers Surg Med. 2009; 41:721–727.