Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, and debilitating condition of the pilosebaceous unit. Despite advancements in the treatment of this condition, over 45% of patients express dissatisfaction following systemic treatments, while more than one-third are unsatisfied with surgical interventions.

Study Overview

According to an original investigation published in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, researchers have concluded that deroofing could be a safe, efficient, and valuable dermatosurgical approach for managing HS patients. P. K. Krajewski et al. led this investigation.

Methodology

Clinical assessments of HS lesions were done, and ultrasound was also used in the evaluation. Patients reported pain, itching, and satisfaction. These outcomes were measured 24 hours post-surgery using a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 to 10. Researchers also evaluated the timeline of objective wound closure in weeks and the need for any analgesic use.

Key Findings

• The mean closure time of the post-deroofing wound was assessed as 4.4 ± 1.9 weeks.
• Complete closure took statistically longer in males than in females (4.9 ± 2.2 weeks and 3.9 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively).
• The closure time was correlated positively yet weakly with the HS tunnel's width with r of 0.27 and 0.228 respectively.
• Patients assessed mean pain as mild at 24 h post-operatively (0.7 ± 1.2 points according to NRS), and no differences between sexes were reported.
• In the first 24 hours, itch was mild with 1.8 ± 1.1 points, without differences between sexes.
• After a week of deroofing, no pain, itching, or adverse events were reported.
• Wound infections were not reported.
• Patient satisfaction assessed as 9.9 ± 0.4 points.

Conclusion

In conclusion, they said, deroofing is an easy, effective, and safe dermatosurgical procedure. This intervention does not require surgical experience or an operating theatre. No complications were reported with the procedure. Postoperative pain was very low, they said.

Reference

Krajewski, P., Sanz‐Motilva, V., Martinez, S. F., Solera, M., Ochando, G., Jfri, A., & Martorell, A. (2024). Deroofing: A safe, effective and well‐tolerated procedure in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.19810