Tumescent suction curettage versus minimal skin resection with subcutaneous curettage of sweat glands in axillary hyperhidrosis.
BACKGROUND
Axillary hyperhidrosis is a common problem with a strong negative impact on professional and social life. Various types of surgical procedures have been developed for its treatment.


OBJECTIVE
We want to compare efficacy and risk-benefit ratio of two local surgical procedures, i.e., the minimal skin excision with subcutaneous curettage (Method A) and tumescent liposuction curettage (Method B).


METHODS
A total of 163 patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis as assessed by positive iodine-starch test were included. The age range of patients was 16 to 61 years (mean 28 years), including 33 males and 129 females. A total of 125 underwent Method A, and 37 were treated by Method B. Both procedures were performed in tumescent anesthesia. The mean follow-up was 21 months (Method A) and 48 months (Method B). The outcome was evaluated by patient's global assessment and by Minor's starch test. Patient satisfaction was scored as "satisfied,""partially satisfied," or "dissatisfied." Adverse effects, complications, hospitalization time, and time to return to work were recorded and compared for both methods. In patients who underwent Method A, scar formation was assessed only for the first axilla (n=99).


RESULTS
In Method A, the rate of residual sweating was 12.0%. The relapse rate was 1.0% of patients or 2% of axillae. In Method B, the relapse rate was 16.2% of patients or 14.5% of axillae within 12 months. If we consider both the relapses and the residual sweating, this modified relapse rate per axilla was 12.8% for Method A and 14.5% for Method B. Patients who underwent Method B had significantly less pain, no atrophic or hypertrophic scars, and no complications such as wound infections, bleeding (with the need of a second operation), or delayed healing. Using Method A, the stay in hospital was on average 5.8 days per patient or 3.2 days per axilla. Mean time to return to work was 8.8+/-3.5 days. For Method B, the procedure was performed in an outpatient setting. The mean time to return to professional work was 1.3+/-0.8 days. The total satisfaction rate was 97% for Method A and 89.2% for Method B, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
As shown by this study, minor skin resection with subcutaneous curettage of axillary sweat glands (Method A) is somewhat more effective in permanent reduction of hyperhidrosis than suction curettage. The minimal invasiveness of suction curettage and the minimal scarring, however, are significant advantages over excisional surgery. Downtime after surgery is significantly shorter for suction curettage. Therefore, suction curettage might be the surgical treatment of choice for axillary hyperhidrosis.
Wollina
Uwe
U
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. wollina-uw@khdf.de
Köstler
Erich
E
Schönlebe
Jacqueline
J
Haroske
Gunter
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D003475:Curettage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D014619:Vacuum Curettage