Ablation of apocrine glands with the use of a suction-assisted cartilage shaver for treatment of axillary osmidrosis: an analysis of 156 cases.

Axillary osmidrosis is a disturbing social problem. Topical antiperspirants are only temporary solutions. Permanent solutions always involve invasive operation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and complications of a minor surgical procedure. From December 2000 to December 2006, 156 patients (130 females and 26 males) whose ages ranged from 10 to 62, with an average age of 23, were treated for axillary osmidrosis with suction-assisted cartilage shaver under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Patients were followed for 6 to 59 months with an average of 16 months. The total satisfaction rate was 97.4% (152/156). The patient complication rate was 7.7% (12/156) and the wound complication rate was 5.1% (16/312). There were no recurrent malodor, contracture scars, arm abduction limitation, or any nerve injury in our series. The minor procedure can be an efficient and predictable treatment choice for axillary osmidrosis.