The human body has a special sweat gland called apocrine gland, also known as large sudoriferous gland, which is located at the bottom of the dermis and opens at the root of the body hair. It secretes sweat containing carbohydrates, proteins, pyruvic acid, etc., which is greasy and emulsified and easy to be decomposed by bacteria to form an unpleasant odor. For those who sweat more or are in adolescence susceptible to hormones and emotions, the apocrine glands produce more sweat, which smells worse.

The operation is to remove and reduce the number of apocrine glands as far as possible by scraping off subcutaneous apocrine glands with suction and a rotating scraper, so as to minimize its secretion and ease bromhidrosis. The operation is generally effective at 90 to 95 %.

Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions

1. Allergic to medicine like painkiller or antibiotics.
2. Allergic to food like seafood, milk, or egg.
3. Family disease like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer.
4. Hereditary disease like favism.
5. On medications like traditional Chinese medicine or diet pill.
6. Notify your doctors if you are pregnant or expect a baby in the near future.

Before-Operative Precautions

1. Do not take anticoagulants (aspirin, etc.) one week before surgery; otherwise, you shall inform your doctor. Do not take nutritional supplements (e.g. Antrodia cinnamomea, Ginkgo biloba, vitamins E, fish oil, ginseng, etc.) either, and reduce intake of foods, such as ginseng, that promote blood flow.
2. Plan to leave valuables, large amounts of cash, credit cards and jewelry at home or with a friend for safe keeping. The hospital is not responsible for lost/stolen items.
3. Remove all makeup, nail polish, piercings/jewelry, etc. from your body.
4. Remove contacts, glasses, dentures, etc. during surgery.

Notes after surgery

• Smoking, drinking alcohol and eating stimulating food should be avoided as they are detrimental to wound healing.
• The wound at the surgical site is compressed with elastic gauze to prevent swelling and blood stasis, so that the skin can adhere and recover after operation. Do not take off the elastic gauze, if it is too tight and feel uncomfortable, you can ask your family to help loosen it and tie it again after some time.
• Shoulder movement should be limited after operation: Do not lift your hands over your shoulders, do not lift heavy objects, do not hold the bus ring, don't support your body vigorously when you are to sit up from bed. Activities below the elbow such as eating, face washing and writing are not restricted.
• Taking a shower is allowed following 3 days of a sponge bath after the operation. Keep the wound dry, and apply ointment after gently cleaning the wound with normal saline solution.
• It is advisable to wear button-down shirts and keep the arms slightly bent to prevent excessive underarm clamping and abrasion of wounds.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy stuff for 4 weeks after surgery.
• The axillary hair is reduced by 60 - 80% after operation.
• Regular living habits: Get plenty of rest after surgery. Avoid lifting heavy stuff or strenuous exercise to reduce bleeding.
• Wound healing may take 1 to 2 weeks, and scar care after stitches are removed is very important. Continuous massage is needed for about 3 to 6 months after removal of stitches to reduce scars and ease tight, prickly feeling.
• Avoid smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke to avoid poor wound healing.
• Seek medical advice immediately after axillary hematoma if you have a fever, or redness, swelling, heat, pain in the wound, or abnormal swelling of the wound.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

• (04)2205-2121 ext. 12020, 12021, Business Hour: Monday through Friday 08:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 08:00am-12:00pm, our center located at 11F, CMU Children’s Hospital.