Underarm odor surgery: what a new 980-patient study reports

For most people, underarm odor is managed with washing, deodorant or antiperspirant. A small number have osmidrosis, a strong odor linked to apocrine sweat glands, and some consider surgery. A study published Nov 11, 2026 in Frontiers in Medicine reports outcomes for 980 people treated with a newer minimally invasive technique. Here is what it found, and what it cannot tell you.

What the study measured Read the sources

Underarm odor surgery study at a glance

980 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe osmidrosis were treated at one center between Jan 2022 and Jun 2024 and followed for a median of 13 months (Frontiers in Medicine).
Patient-reported success was 97.7%, recurrence 2.35% and overall complications 3.27%; 0.2% needed treatment for a hematoma (a collection of blood).

The technique

How this underarm odor surgery works

The authors say minimally invasive osmidrosis surgery has faced a trade-off between how well it works and how safe it is, because surgeons cannot directly see the tissue. Their technique adds endoscopic viewing to a rotary cutter (Frontiers in Medicine).

Surgeon experience

Results improved after the first 100 cases

Operating time and complication rates fell significantly after the first 100 procedures, while success stayed above 96%. The authors also report that how severe the odor was before surgery independently predicted the outcome.

FAQ

Underarm odor surgery: quick answers

What is osmidrosis?

Osmidrosis is abnormal, strong underarm odor. A Nov 1, 2026 study notes that the number and size of apocrine glands are linked to how severe it is.

Is underarm odor surgery permanent?

In this study, 2.35% of patients had recurrence over a median 13 months of follow-up. Longer-term results were not reported.

How safe is underarm odor surgery?

This single-center study reported an overall complication rate of 3.27%. Results at other clinics, with other techniques or less experienced surgeons may differ.

Who is a candidate for underarm odor surgery?

The study included people with moderate-to-severe osmidrosis. Only a dermatologist or surgeon who examines you can say whether surgery is appropriate.

Can deodorant or antiperspirant help underarm odor?

For everyday odor, deodorants target odor and antiperspirants reduce wetness. The Nov 1, 2026 osmidrosis study lists topical antiperspirants among current osmidrosis treatments, but it did not test any product.

What the underarm odor surgery study measured

This was a single-center retrospective cohort from Hengyang Medical School, University of South China. Success was defined as the patient reporting marked improvement or complete elimination of odor. The team also tracked complications and recurrence, and compared the first 100 cases with later ones (Frontiers in Medicine).

The authors report no commercial conflicts of interest; the work was funded by Hunan provincial science foundations.

Limits of this study

Because the study looked back at one center’s records, it had no comparison group and relied on patient-reported success. The authors call the results promising intermediate-term outcomes that warrant prospective comparative evaluation. We read the published abstract and article page; this page does not judge the surgery against other options.

Before considering underarm odor surgery

Odor and wetness are different problems. Deodorants target odor-causing bacteria, while antiperspirants reduce how much sweat reaches the skin (see antiperspirant vs deodorant). A Nov 1, 2026 imaging study of osmidrosis lists topical antiperspirants among current treatments (CCID).

If odor stays strong despite good hygiene, a dermatologist can check for osmidrosis or another cause and explain non-surgical and surgical options, risks and recovery.

Sources

Educational information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. Sources were opened and read on Nov 11, 2026. Research summaries are based on the published abstract or full text as noted; they are not evidence for any Maxim product.

Is underarm odor surgery right for you?

Only a dermatologist or surgeon who examines you can say. Ask about non-surgical options, risks, recovery and recurrence.

What the study measured Read the sources

Educational information only, not medical advice. The study did not test Maxim or any consumer product, and Maxim makes no claim to treat osmidrosis or replace surgery.