A Simple Surgical Approach to the Management of Axillary Hyperidrosis

Abstract

In a simple surgical technique for the management of axillary hyperidrosis, removal of the majority of the central axillary sweat glands, responsible for 70% to 80% of the axillary secretion, accomplishes reduction of the sweating levels to those of the normal individual. The operation described does not require hospitalization and may be performed under local anesthesia. It consists of elliptical excision of a wedge of tissue across the width of the central axilla. In addition to its effect on axillary hyperidrosis, the procedure results also in reduction of axillary odor, and may be useful in the management of axillary bromidrosis.