Surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: an analysis of postoperative outcome, cosmetic results and quality of life in 255 patients.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with increasing incidence. Severe disease stages are seen as a therapeutic challenge and pose the threat of significant restrictions on patients' life quality.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated postoperative outcome after wide local excision for HS as well as postoperative course, cosmetic results, disease recurrence and quality of life.

METHODS: All patients receiving radical surgical treatment for HS (Hurley III) between 2006 and 2015 were identified and received a letter-based survey. They were asked about postoperative course, cosmetic results, recurrence and life quality.

RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients (103 men, 152 women) answered the questionnaire. Ninety-five percentage of patients reported disease-specific restrictions on everyday life. Seventy-five percentage of patients did not experience any postoperative adverse events; however, postoperative pain with need for analgesics was reported in 38%. The majority of patients (80%) were very satisfied or satisfied after surgery, and 85% of patients would recommend surgery to other affected persons.

LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design of the study was a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS: The well-known negative psychological and social effects are a relevant part of HS and emphasize the importance of immediate therapy. As long-lasting local disease-control can be achieved, surgery should be considered as first-line therapy.