ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Axillary osmidrosis is caused by abnormal apocrine glands. Although various treatment modalities have been developed for axillary osmidrosis, there have not been sufficient studies to establish a treatment guideline. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and disease recurrence rate of treatment by superficial liposuction with dermal curettage using Fatemi cannula to the level of the dermal-subcutaneous junction (modified technique) compared to dermal curettage to the level of the mid-dermis (conventional technique). METHODS: Fifty-two patients (104 axillae) underwent the modified technique and 54 patients (108 axillae) underwent the conventional technique from April 2007 to September 2014. The patients' demographic data, clinical efficacy of each treatment as evaluated using subjective satisfaction scales, postoperative complications, and recurrence rates were retrospectively reviewed, and procedures compared. RESULTS: Excellent to good outcomes were reported in 46 patients (88.5%) who underwent the modified technique and 50 patients (92.6%) who underwent the conventional technique. Recurrence occurred in 12.5% (13/104) of axillae in patients who underwent the modified technique, and 9.3% (10/108) of axillae in patients who underwent the conventional technique. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical efficacy, safety, or recurrence rates between the two techniques (p>0.05). Skin necrosis was significantly lower using the modified technique (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Our study found that clinical results of the modified technique were comparable with those of the conventional technique. The modified technique is a convenient treatment for axillary osmidrosis, with high efficacy and low disease recurrence.