A Clinical Analysis for Surgical Treatment of Axillary Osmidrosis by Subcutaneous Tissue Remover and Carbon Dioxide(CO2) Laser

Kim, Sang Baik; Kim, Il Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing problem characterized by and unpleasant odor, profuse sweating, and occasionally staining of clothes that may handicap those affected socially, psychologically and in the work place. Various types of surgical procedures have been developed for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis. However, it is still not clear whether which type of surgery can provide the best long-term results.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the long-term(more than 2 years) follow-up results of subcutaneous tissue remover and Carbon Dioxide(CO2) laser for surgical treatment(Kim's operative method) of axillary osmidrosis retrospectively.
METHODS
The number of patients who had been surgically operated wase 132 and among them, 62 patients were interviewed by telephone. The degree of recurrence, scar, satisfaction, the causes of dissatisfaction, and recommendation were evaluated.
RESULTS
Thirty-eight of the 62 patients(61.3%) had no recurrence. Twenty-one patients(33.9%) of the 62 patients had rarely scar. Forty-five patients(72.6%) had a feeling of satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
This combined method has the advantages of a high success rate, low complication rate and less scarring for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis based on the long-term evaluation.