Treating Excessive Sweating: 5 Risks of Axillary Suction Curettage

If you experience problems with excessive sweating, you may be considering axilliary suction curettage, which permanently removes or destroys sweat glands in your problematic areas, particularly the armpits. While axilliary suction curettage enjoys a high success rate, there are a number of potential risks that you should factor into your decision.

1. Scarring

While axilliary suction curettage may have fewer severe potential complications than other common surgical methods to control excessive sweating, it is the most likely to leave permanent scars at the surgical area. Because the process involves removal or destruction of the sweat glands, sometimes entire areas of skin are removed or otherwise scarred, although the scarring has become less obvious with advances in the procedure (such as using lasers instead of scalpels).

2. Restricted Mobility

Along with the scarring is the potential for restricted mobility, particularly if you have the surgery to correct excessive sweating in the armpits. The sensitive scarred tissue may grow back tighter, making movement more uncomfortable and perhaps painful. You may not be able to lift your arms as high as you did before without feeling the stretching sensation in your skin. However, laser surgery can reduce your risk of this complication.

3. Hematomas and Seromas

Hematomas, a form of hemorrhage or bruise resulting from a clogged concentration of blood cells, and seromas, a pocket of bodily fluid (plasma, mucus) under the skin, are risks of virtually any surgery. However, they are prominent risks with axilliary suction curettage because of the large area of damaged or destroyed tissue that is is necessary to destroy or remove the sweat glands. However, they are generally not serious. You can reduce your risk for developing more painful hematomas or seromas by following your doctor's instructions for recuperation, including resting and applying cold packs as necessary.

4. Permanant Wound Contracture

When you have an injury to an area that is integral to movement, you run the risk for developing a wound contracture. A wound contracture is when a wound heals in such a way to impede the normal function of a muscle. This is part of the reason for the potential for restricted mobility. Contracture is a normal part of the healing process, so this impeded function may start about 7 days after the surgery and last 5 to 15 days thereafter. However, permanent contracture is possible during procedures that interfere with the ligaments.

5. Wound Infection

A potential risk of any surgery is wound infection, which is why your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics to take for a minimum of 10 days after the procedure. The greater the area that is worked on, the greater your chance for wound infection, but axilliary suction curettage is generally less invasive than other surgical options for excessive sweating conditions. You can reduce your risk for infection by taking antibiotics as prescribed.

Excessive sweating is more than an annoyance; the sweating can cause not only embarrassment and social anxiety, but it can also impede your ability to function properly. Axilliary suction curettage is one of the most successful methods for stopping sweating, particularly in your armpits. However, you should consider the potential risks before you proceed.