There are hardly any complications with sweat gland removal. In the experienced hands of a plastic surgeon, there are very few complications.
The following changes are possible:
Restriction of skin sensation on the inside of the upper arm
The procedures described above and the pressure bandage after the operation can irritate skin nerves following the removal of sweat glands.
A nerve that runs from the chest through the armpit into the upper arm is usually affected. This leads to a loss of sensation on the inside of the upper arm, which usually disappears within several days or a few weeks.
Skin death as a complication after sweat gland removal
In the surgical removal of sweat glands, the plastic surgeon’s vehement approach and the degree of reduction in sweat production are proportional. The more intensively we incise, the fewer sweat glands can survive and the less sweat is produced in the armpit.
However, if the surgeon overdoes it, the armpit skin suffers. After the sweat glands have been removed, the skin is detached from the base and would stretch open like a tent without a pressure bandage.
The skin is then only nourished by the vessels in the dermis. If the damage is severe, however, blood flow is also restricted here.
In milder cases, this leads to skin discoloration or blistering of the armpit skin and heals without scarring. In severe cases, the entire layer of skin can die off, which delays the healing process.
Even in these situations, the underarm skin heals well, as the defects shrink and are barely visible as a scar once the wound has healed.
Thinning of the underarm hair
Removing the sweat glands has a positive side effect. The procedure also damages some hair roots, so that hair growth in the armpits is often reduced.
Bruising
They can generally be avoided by applying adequate compression and restricting movement. Wound effusions occur in particular when patients do not follow the recommendations for rest and protection.
This prevents the skin from sticking to the surface quickly after the sweat glands have been removed.
After sweat gland removal: scarring disorders
… can occur in patients who have inherited this condition. Due to the very small incision in the skin, severe scarring is unlikely.
However, if the wound surfaces are significantly enlarged after removal of the sweat glands in connection with tissue loss, patients may develop bulging scars or, worse, benign scar growths.
It is therefore important that we clarify the individual scarring tendency with you before the operation in Düsseldorf.
