Men, main victims of hidradenitis suppurativa (A prospective cohort study)

Abstract

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease presenting as painful subcutaneous nodules, characterized by multiple abscess, inter-networking sinus tracts. We present the option of surgical treatment involving wide surgical excision and methods of reconstruction as well as the rate of recurrence. Method: This study reviewed 44 sites in 21 patients with moderate to extensive HS treated surgically in our hospital from 2000 to 2016, with a follow up of at least 24 months. Results: A total number of 44 operative procedures were performed during the study period with 13.6% (6 sites) involving axilla, 38.6% (17 sites) involving the gluteal area, 29.5% (13 sites) involving the perineal and perianal area and 11.4% (5 sites) involving the inguinal region, 4.5% (2 sites) involving the scrotal area, and 1.3% (one case) retrorectal abscess. Conclusion: Conservative treatment methods have little or no effects especially on gluteal, perineal/perianal and axillary hidradenitis suppurativa. The morbidity associated with the established disease is significant, and the only successful treatment is wide surgical excision.