The Effect of Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction for Axillary Osmidrosis on Apocrine and Eccrine Glands

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing disorder characterized by unpleasant odor from axillary area and it is mainly associated with apocrine glands but also associated with eccrine glands. For surgical treatment of osmidrosis, recently ultrasound assisted liposuction(UAL) had been performed for many patients. According to the recent studies about ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of osmidrosis, histologic studies about apocrine gland had been applied for 35 cases, but there were rare mention about eccrine gland and the relationship between two glands. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis on apocrine and eccrine glands. METHODS: From January 2004 to January 2007, 35 patients underwent ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of osmidrosis and 5 patients underwent histologic studies. Histologic examinations were performed before and after ultrasound assisted liposuction and each biopsy was performed in central axillary area. The volume ratio of both glands, presence of degeneration were examined. And in aspirates, distribution and density of both glands and their morphological changes were examined. RESULTS: Preoperative biopsy results showed average volume ratio of apocrine glands to eccrine glands was 6535. According to the postoperative biopsy results, the volume of apocrine glands in dermis were significantly reduced and glands were degenerated, but the volume of eccrine glands were slightly reduced and glands were mildly damaged. And the average volume ratio of two glands was 2080. According to biopsy results of aspirates, the volume ratio of two glands was 8515 and apocrine glands had significantly greater proportion. CONCLUSION: By comparison of each biopsy result, apocrine glands were more significantly reduced and degenerated than eccrine glands in all 5 cases. However, further studies with large sample sizes and close examinations are required.