New Treatment for Osmidrosis Axillae by High Frequency Electrocoagulator and Insulated Needle

ABSTRACT

Osmidrosis axillae is a distressing problem characterized by foul odor at the axillae due to excessive apocrine sweat gland secretion. We introduce a new non-surgical method using a specially insulated needle and high frequency electrocoagulator. From September 2001 to January 2005, 52 patients were treated with this procedure for osmidrosis axillae. In authors' procedure, insulated needle which was designed to protect skin and dermal layer was inserted into the deep dermis of axilla area and apocrine sweat glands were removed by electrocoagulation. Fifty two patients were evaluated more than 6 months after surgery. Among these patients, 48 patients received secondary coagulation procedure. After second operation, all patients were satisfied with postoperation results. We conclude that our method has several advantages such as 1) short operation time, 2) no necessity of postoperative immobilization of shoulder joints, 3) no need of hospitalization, 4) minimal scarring and no bleeding, 5) prevention of skin necrosis, 6) a safer operative method for recurred cases as a secondary method.