Carbon dioxide laser treatment vs subcutaneous resection of axillary osmidrosis

BACKGROUND. Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing disorder characterized by unpleasant odor, profuse sweating, and occasional staining of clothes that may handicap those affected both socially and in the work place. Various types of surgical procedures have been developed for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis and osmidrosis. OBJECTIVE. Our purpose is to seek a more effective surgical procedure than preexisting various subcutaneous resection techniques for axillary osmidrosis. METHODS. After single transverse incision in the center of one axilla, undermining was performed from the incision edges to make a wide subcutaneous tunnel and then apocrine glands and subcutaneous fats were vaporized with a CO2 laser. Subcutaneous resection technique was performed on the opposite axilla in the same patient. A total of 20 patients have been evaluated for 4 months to 1 year, with an average of 8 months. RESULTS. The results from commonly used surgical procedures can be improved upon by the use of the CO2 laser. The frequency of complications and the mean duration of suture removal were diminished on the laser-operated side. CONCLUSIONS. CO2 laser vaporization in osmidrosis produces significant patient-benefit during the postoperative course. We believe that this laser-assisted combined surgical procedure can be a viable option for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis and osmidrosis. (C) 1997 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.