Micropore drainage to prevent hematoma in axillary bromhidrosis: A comparative study

Axillary bromhidrosis is characterized by malodor stemming from hyperplastic and hypertrophic apocrine sweat glands. Although surgical excision remains the most definitive treatment, postoperative complications—particularly hematoma—can compromise outcomes and patient satisfaction. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a micropore drainage technique in reducing hematoma and improving overall results. This retrospective comparative study analyzed data from medical records of 73 patients diagnosed with axillary bromhidrosis who underwent surgical treatment at the 3201 Hospital in Hanzhong, China, from January 2020 to January 2024. Patients had initially been randomized into either the experimental group (group A, n = 38), which received micropore drainage combined with subdermal undermining via a miniature incision, or the control group (group B, n = 35), treated by subdermal undermining alone. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly followed during retrospective selection. Outcomes, evaluated by blinded assessors, included malodor elimination, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, hair growth reduction, scar formation, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction. Both groups achieved significant improvements in malodor control and DLQI scores. Notably, the hematoma rate was 0% in Group A compared to 11.43% in Group B (P = .02). Group A also demonstrated higher patient satisfaction (81.58% vs 51.43%, P = .01). There were no significant differences between the groups in operative time, scar formation, DLQI improvement, or hair growth reduction. Incorporating micropore drainage into surgical management of axillary bromhidrosis effectively reduces postoperative hematoma and enhances patient satisfaction without increasing operative complexity or compromising apocrine gland removal. This technique shows promise as a safer, more reliable option for axillary bromhidrosis treatment, warranting further validation through larger multicenter studies and longer-term follow-up.