Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Subcutaneous sweat gland suction curettage (SSGSC) is gaining acceptance as a therapy for axillary hyperhidrosis. Despite its acceptance, there remains a lack of prospective data describing the efficacy and long-term outcome of SSGSC.

OBJECTIVE:

We examined the sweat rates and patients' satisfaction of 12 months following SGSC in 28 patients with axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS:

Axillary sweat rates were determined by semiquantitative gravimetry. A questionnaire was used to determine patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS:

A 58% reduction in sweat rate under resting conditions and an 85% reduction during aerobic exercise in sweat rates was observed. A subdivision of patients into three groups based on their baseline preoperative sweat rates (<25, 25-50, and >50 mg/min) showed that patients with resting sweat rates over 25 mg/min benefited particularly from this procedure, whereas patients with less than 25 mg/min did not.

CONCLUSION:

SSGSC produces a significant reduction in the preoperative sweat rates. A low complication rate and a high degree of patient satisfaction were observed. Long-term follow-up evaluations demonstrate a low number of relapses, making SSGSC a convenient and satisfactory method of treating axillary hyperhidrosis. It should be considered in patients refractory to conventional therapies with baseline sweat rates greater than 25 mg/min. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.