N. Ong, E. McMeniman
Introduction:
HIdradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronicand debilita ting condition , characterised by painful absces ses,nodules and discharging sinus tracts. The management ofHS remains challenging, with many pharmaceutical optionsdemonstrating limited clinical efficacy1. Although medicalmanagement can prove beneficial in mild cases, recur-rences are frequent2. Surgery is considered curative andincludes incision and drainage, deroofing, and local andwide excision. Deroofing has emerged as a safe and effec-tive method in the surgical management of HS3. Deroofingis a technique that removes the roof of each abscess, nod-ule, and sinus tract, with communicating cavities exposedwith scissors, electrosurgery, or a CO2laser2. Deroofingmaximises the preservation of normal surrounding tissue,and converts HS lesions into flat scars.
Methods:
The study was conducted at the Princess Alexan-dra Hospital Dermatology Department, Brisbane, Queens-land. We reviewed 15 sites in 6 patients with drainingfistulae present for at least 6 months. Deroofing was under-taken in these patients as an outpatient procedure during2014 and 2015, with a follow-up of up to 24 months.
Results:
A total number of 15 deroofing procedures wereundertaken during the study period with 20% (3 sites)involving the axilla, 13% (2 sites) involving the glutealarea, 27% (4 sites) involving the perineal area and 20% (3sites) involving the inguinal region.None of the lesions demonstrated recurrence during thefollow-up period.
Conclusions:
Surgical management in HS appears promis-ing. The deroofing technique represents an effective surgi-cal intervention for the treatment of persistent HS lesions,with limited recurrence.