[Liposuction curettage versus Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis. A prospective study of the quality of life]

Abstract

Background: Axillary hyperhidrosis is a dysfunction of the secretion of sweat glands. Conservative treatment modalities are mostly ineffective. Liposuction combined with subcutaneous curettage (TLC) destroys the sweat glands, while Botox injections inhibit the cholinergic transmission.

Material and method: Of a total of 88 patients, TLC was carried out in 47 and 41 patients received intradermal Botox injections. The effect of both forms of treatment on the quality of life was assessed using a specific hyperhidrosis questionnaire and was correlated with sweat volumes measured by gravimetry.

Results: Follow-up after 6 months showed significantly changed sweat volumes of 52+/-41 mg/min of TLC patients versus 78+/-87 mg/min in the Botox group. In the TLC group 91% and in the Botox group 98% were satisfied with the result.

Conclusion: The stress of a single surgical intervention is to be weighed against the necessary repetitive application of multiple Botox injections. Both methods are superior to other, more radical surgical methods in terms of efficacy and complication rates. Botox and TLC lead to a significant improvement of the quality of life.