Radiofrequency Treatment of Axillary Osmidrosis

Hwang, Weon Jung; Choi, Hee Youn

Abstract

Axillary osmidrosis is caused by excessive secretion of apocrine sweat gland and can cause extreme difficulty in social activities. The surgical removal of apocrine glands has been thought as an effective method. But this classical treatment results in many complications such as scarring, hematoma, skin necrosis and these complications have not been solved yet. Recently radiofrequency surgery as a minimally invasive technique is used for the treatment of snoring, benign prostate hypertrophy, hepatoma, reduction of masseter muscle and gastrocnemius muscle. From June, 2004 to March, 2005, 10 patients with axillary osmidrosis were treated by radiofrequency thermal ablation(PMC-1000). The generator was set to level 6-8 and the duration of time was 1.0 seconds. The maximum number of treatment sessions were two. The mean postoperative follow-up period was about average 6 month ranged from 2 to 9 month. The skin necrosis was developed in 2 patients. All patients were satisfied or partially satisfied with the results. Although suitable radiofrequency power and heating duration have not been defined yet, which is mandatory in order to obtain the best results, the radiofrequecy could be a safe and effective treatment modality for axillary osmidrosis with a good clinical outcome and few complications.