Reconstruction after excision of hidradenitis suppurativa: Are skin grafts better than flaps?

Abstract

After surgical excision of hidradenitis suppurativa, reconstruction with a skin graft or a flap is performed when primary closure is not possible. However, the recurrence rate is reportedly high even after wide surgical excision. It is still unclear which reconstruction method provides the lowest recurrence rate. In this report, we present a case of intractable hidradenitis suppurativa in the bilateral perineal region. After wide excision and repair with bilateral groin flaps, a unilateral groin flap was replaced with a split-thickness skin graft because of flap necrosis. Although the skin graft repair region has been recurrence free for 4 years postoperatively, other regions with flap repair showed recurrence 1 year postoperatively, leading to reexcision and repair with a split-thickness skin graft. The current case provides an opportunity to reconsider the optimal surgical strategy for hidradenitis suppurativa. Taking into consideration the fact that hair follicles and sweat glands are involved in the etiology of hidradenitis suppurativa, split-thickness skin grafting, which lack cutaneous appendages, may be superior to flap repair or primary closure in terms of recurrence.