Arthroscopic shaver with refinement for axillary osmidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Minimal invasive treatment with liposuction-curettage for axillary osmidrosis has lead to clinical improvement with lower risk of complications. The incidence of skin necrosis and hematoma in the literature is very limited. Recently, arthroscopic shaver has been used for the treatment of osmidrosis with better efficacy, but associated with variable degrees of complications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical effect and complication from arthroscopic shaver with preservation of fibrovascular cords. To our knowledge this modification has not been previously described.

METHOD: Thirty patients were recruited during a 1-year-period for the treatment of axillary malodor. Incision was made for the arthroscopic shaver and subcutaneous fibrovascular cords were carefully preserved. We evaluated the clinical efficacy (excellent, good, fair, and poor), complications, and subsequent recurrences.

RESULTS: Among patients receiving the arthroscopic shaving for axillary osmidrosis, 93% of the patients had achieved excellent to good results, 7% with fair result and none had poor clinical efficacy. None of the patient had any skin necrosis or recurrences during clinical follow up.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic shaving for axillary osmidrosis has been associated with variable complication rates. Our experience has indicated that preservation of fibrovascular cords protected epidermis from necrosis and such refinement will allow for more optimal clinical result and lower complications.