Minimally invasive surgery for axillary osmidrosis: combined operation with CO2 laser and subcutaneous tissue remover.
BACKGROUND
Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing problem characterized by unpleasant odor, profuse sweating, and occasionally staining of clothes that may handicap those affected both socially and psychologically. Various types of surgical procedures have been developed for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis and osmidrosis.


OBJECTIVE
To introduce a new odor measurement method and minimally invasive surgery technique for axillary osmidrosis.


METHODS
Eighty-eight patients with axillary osmidrosis were treated by combined operation using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and subcutaneous tissue remover. Measurement of axillary odor was done with the cotton-roll method.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven of the 88 patients (98.8%) had good to fair results; only one patient (1.2%) had poor results. Complications such as ecchymosis and partial skin necrosis with delayed wound healing occurred in four patients (4.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
A combined technique using a CO2 laser and subcutaneous tissue remover has the advantages of a high success rate, low complication rate, no admission treatment, less scarring, and rapid recovery. This combined approach should become the preferred technique for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis.
Kim
I H
IH
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. ihk10029@aol.com
Seo
S L
SL
Oh
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide