Study on the correlation between accessory breast removal surgery and treatment of bromhidrosis
Accessory breast, also known as accessory mammary gland, is the residual breast tissue formed in the armpits, chest wall and other areas when the mammary tissue does not completely degenerate during embryonic development. Accessory breast can appear as a soft tissue mass, and often causes swelling and pain during the menstrual cycle. Some patients choose surgical removal because of its aesthetic impact or accompanying discomfort. In recent years, some clinical patients are concerned about whether accessory breast removal can relieve or eliminate the symptoms of axillary odor at the same time. This issue deserves in-depth discussion from the levels of anatomy and treatment mechanism.
1. The anatomical relationship between accessory breast and axillary odor
Underarm odor, also known as bromhidrosis, is mainly caused by the secretions of the axillary apocrine glands (apocrine glands) being decomposed by bacteria on the skin surface to produce odor. The apocrine glands are located deep in the skin of the armpits and are concentrated in the hair follicle area. They begin to secrete actively after puberty. Accessory breast tissue is generally located below the armpit or along the mammary line. Its main components are mammary tissue or adipose connective tissue. Some accessory breasts may contain nipple-areola-like structures, but their tissue components are not directly related to the apocrine glands.
From an anatomical point of view, although accessory breasts and apocrine glands may be located in the same anatomical area (axilla), they have different origins, and their functions and structures belong to two systems. The existence of accessory breasts itself will not aggravate axillary odor, but due to local tissue hyperplasia, the humidity and heat environment in the axillary environment is aggravated, which may indirectly cause an increase in the sense of odor, thus causing some patients to mistakenly believe that accessory breasts are the source of axillary odor.
2. Therapeutic mechanism and indications of accessory mastectomy
The core purpose of accessory breast removal surgery is to remove excess breast or fat tissue, improve local contours or relieve menstrual pain. The surgical methods include traditional open surgery and minimally invasive liposuction combined with removal. Different surgical paths are selected according to the size, texture, and location of the accessory breast. The operation will not specifically destroy or remove the apocrine gland structure.
Some surgeons may damage some apocrine glands during the process of freeing and peeling the axillary tissue while performing accessory breast removal surgery, resulting in a reduction in axillary odor after surgery in some patients. However, this result is a non- specific treatment effect and is not caused by the purpose of the surgical design itself.
3. Effective treatment for underarm odor
The standard treatment pathway for bromhidrosis includes:
Surgical treatment : such as apocrine gland curettage, scissoring, minimally invasive excision, etc., the purpose is to directly remove the apocrine gland structure and reduce the source of secretion.
Non-surgical treatment : such as topical medication control, microwave thermal energy therapy, etc., is suitable for those with mild to moderate symptoms.
Auxiliary methods : Daily cleaning, dry management, and antibacterial care can help reduce the occurrence of odor.
Accessory mastectomy is not intended to treat axillary odor, nor does it systematically destroy apocrine gland tissue. Therefore, it cannot be used as an alternative treatment for axillary odor.
4. Clinical Case Analysis and Research Status
Clinical observations show that some patients who underwent accessory mastectomy reported that their symptoms of axillary odor were alleviated after the operation. Such results were mostly due to the extensive dissection of the subcutaneous tissue in the armpit during the operation, which caused damage to the apocrine sweat glands, or postoperative scar formation that affected the discharge function of the apocrine gland ducts, resulting in a decrease in sweat. However, an analysis of epidemiological data and postoperative follow-up results shows that this situation is not universal.
Currently, there is no large-scale randomized controlled trial to confirm that accessory breast removal is significantly effective in the treatment of axillary odor. Most plastic surgery and dermatologic surgery guidelines do not include accessory breast removal in the recommended treatment pathway for axillary odor.
5. Preoperative consultation and treatment recommendations for patients
For patients who suffer from axillary odor, we should first determine whether the odor is caused by the apocrine sweat glands, and develop an individualized treatment plan through professional evaluation. If the patient also has accessory breast problems, the treatment indications of the two lesions should be evaluated separately. It is not recommended to use accessory breast removal surgery as the primary means of treating axillary odor.
Before surgery, a plastic surgeon or dermatologist should explain in detail the scope and purpose of the surgery to avoid deviations in treatment expectations due to misunderstanding of information. Doctors should clearly distinguish the boundaries between cosmetic and functional disease treatments to avoid disputes after surgery due to mismatches in expectations.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
The purpose of accessory breast removal surgery is to improve the appearance of the armpit or relieve local discomfort. It has no direct therapeutic effect on axillary odor. If you are troubled by obvious axillary odor, it is recommended to choose targeted apocrine sweat gland treatment. During the treatment, maintain good personal hygiene habits, avoid spicy food and contact with irritating items, which can help control axillary odor. When seeking medical treatment, you should consult in detail to avoid mistakenly regarding accessory breast removal surgery as the main method of treating axillary odor, so as to avoid a gap between the surgical effect and expectations.