Surgically treating hidradenitis suppurativa that does not respond to medical treatment

Abstract

Objective: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin involving the infundibular terminal follicles in the areas of the body containing apocrine glands. The pathology leads to purulent drainage and pain, abscesses, hypertrophic scars, and sinus formation in the affected areas. Treatment options for the disease include retinoid, antibiotics, antiandrogens, immunosuppressive agents, laser therapy/phototherapy, and surgery. This study aimed to assess the results of surgical treatment in patients who could not be treated medically. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed twenty patients who did not heal with medical treatment in the last 5 years. Results: Defect reconstructions were performed using grafts on eight patients, flaps on five patients, and primary closure on seven patients. One patient had a long-term recurrence. Conclusion: In the researchers' experience with different reconstruction methods and the wide excision of the disease, clinically satisfactory results can be achieved in cases that do not heal with medical treatment.

Keywords

• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• medical treatment
• surgical treatment