An innovative application of follicular unit extraction technique in the treatment of bromhidrosis

Abstract

Background Surgery is the most effective way to treat bromhidrosis, but postoperative complications are still the biggest obstacles for patients to choose surgical treatment.Objectives To introduce an innovative application of follicular unit extraction (FUE) in the treatment of bromhidrosis.Methods We conducted a case series study on 20 patients who received FUE technique for the treatment of bromhidrosis. The axillary hair follicles were extracted with a one-millimetre punch. The released hair follicles were collected for histological examination. After the operation, the wounds were wrapped with moderate pressure. The dressing was removed 24 h after the FUE operation. The postoperative complications were collected, and the improvement of malodour was evaluated by the 10-point visual analogue scale. Results Immediately postoperation, many needle-shaped holes appeared in the armpits. The holes healed 7 days after the operation, with no scar or pinpoint-like scars. Except for a female who complained of mild pain in the left armpit, no other patients had any discomfort. The malodour level varied between 0 and 4 during the follow-up period. The tissue examination showed that more than 90% of the completely plucked hair follicles were accompanied by apocrine glands, and many blocked and dilated apocrine glands were observed. The lumens of the blocked glands were filled with decapitation products, which were positive for K5, Brst-2 and CEA.Conclusions Patients with bromhidrosis have a positive response to FUE technique. The FUE technique is welltolerated, with only a few postoperative complications, which deserves to be widely promoted.

Advances in the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis

“…The specific procedure involved shaving the operative area to a length of 1–2 mm, injecting a swelling solution, selecting an appropriate inner diameter follicle extractor, punching in the same direction as the hair follicle growth, inserting to a skin depth of approximately 2.5 mm, and extracting all hair follicles. 53 The FUE technique results in only a few punctate bleeding spots post‐procedure, characterized by minimal trauma, few postoperative complications, and negligible disruption to daily activities. Significant improvement in odor was observed during the follow‐up period, suggesting the efficacy of the treatment.…”