In-office Procedures for Dermatologists Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review aims to assess the landscape of in-office procedural management of HS. It evaluates the role of simple office procedures, such as steroid injections and incision and drainage (I&D), to the more complicated office surgical procedures, including deroofing and excisions with secondary intention healing, and innovative light and laser-based therapies. Recent Findings: Punch debridement (mini-deroofing) remains an underutilized in-office procedure for HS. While the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser continues to be preferred for laser hair removal (LHR), recent evidence highlights the effectiveness of Alexandrite lasers. Minimally invasive approaches such as cryoinsufflation and intralesional photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be helpful for patients reluctant to undergo more invasive surgical procedures. Summary: In-office procedures are integral to managing HS in conjunction with medical therapies. These procedures enable a personalized approach to addressing the chronic and challenging nature of HS and improving quality of life.