Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A Treatment in Adolescent Patients with Axillary Bromhidrosis

Abstract

Background

For adolescent bromhidrosis, the long-term safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment are not clear to date.

Patients and Methods

From June 2011 to July 2016, 62 adolescent patients with primary axillary bromhidrosis were recruited and 50 U of BTX-A was administered in each axilla. Repetitive injections were performed when the malodor returned.

Results

The average follow-up was 2.64 years. There were no reported local or systemic adverse effects. After the first BTX-A injection, 61.3% of patients (38/62) maintained the duration of more than 4 weeks. Of these patients, 21 patients underwent two sessions, 8 patients underwent three sessions, and 4 patients underwent four sessions. Twenty-four of sixty-two (38.7%) of patients had the duration of < 4 weeks. The second injection with the same dose was immediately administered, and the resulting duration increased to 9 weeks. Nineteen patients received the third injection with 100 U per underarm, and the resulting duration was extended up to 16 weeks. Overall, 82% of patients (51/62) ranked the BTX-A treatment to be very good or good.

Conclusion

For adolescent axillary bromhidrosis, BTX-A injection is safe and effective over a long-term follow-up. The duration of efficacy is variable, and the dosage should be fine-tuned based on the individual response.

Level of Evidence IV

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