Current Surgical Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Presurgical Mapping With Ultra-high Frequency Ultrasound of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesions Treated With Wide Local Excision and Secondary Intention Healing

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a challenging chronic inflammatory condition often requiring surgical intervention, such as wide local excision. Preoperative mapping with ultra-high frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) enables detailed assessment of lesion extension, particularly identifying tunnels and fistulas, facilitating surgical planning.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze recurrence rates of HS lesions previously mapped with UHFUS and treated with wide excision and secondary intention healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective single-center study enrolled 40 patients with HS undergoing wide excision surgery after UHFUS mapping. Patients were assessed weekly until complete healing and then every 3 months, evaluating clinical and sonographic signs of relapse and pain using the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Results showed a population predominantly composed of women (65%) with a mean age of 39 years and a medium HS-Hurley score of 2.5. Over a 22-month follow-up, only 10% experienced clinical relapse, achieving an 90% total remission rate. Pain scores decreased significantly from Week 0 to Week 4.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the clinical challenge of HS management, particularly regarding surgical planning and lesion margin definition. The remission rate observed in this study suggests the effectiveness of UHFUS-guided surgical approaches. Future studies should extend observation periods to further validate these findings.

Guidelines How to Integrate Surgery and Targeted Therapy with Biologics for the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Delphi Consensus Statements from an Italian Expert Panel

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent and painful nodules and abscesses in intertriginous skin areas, which can progress to sinus tract formation, tissue destruction, and scarring. HS is highly debilitating and severely impairs the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients. The therapeutic approach to HS is based on medical therapy and surgery. First-line medical therapy includes topical antibiotics, systemic antibiotics, and biologics. Main surgical procedures include deroofing, local excision, and wide local excision. Despite the availability of multiple therapeutic options, the rates of disease recurrence and progression continue to be high. In recent years, the possibility of combining biologic therapy and surgery has raised considerable interest. In a clinical trial, the perioperative use of adalimumab has been associated with greater response rates and improved inflammatory load and pain, with no increased risk of postoperative infectious complications. However, several practical aspects of combined biologic therapy and surgery are poorly defined. In June 2022, nine Italian HS experts convened to address issues related to the integration of biologic therapy and surgery in clinical practice. To this purpose, the experts identified 10 areas of interest based on published evidence and personal experience: (1) patient profiling (diagnostic criteria, disease severity classification, assessment of response to treatment, patient-reported outcomes, comorbidities); (2) tailoring surgery to HS characteristics; (3) wide local excision; (4) presurgery biologic treatment; (5) concomitant biologic and surgical treatments; (6) pre- and postsurgery management; (7) antibiotic systemic therapy; (8) biologic therapy after radical surgery; (9) management of adverse events to biologics; and (10) management of postoperative infectious complications. Consensus between experts was reached using the Estimate-Talk-Estimate method (Delphi Method). The statements were subsequently presented to a panel of 27 HS experts from across Italy, and their agreement was assessed using the UCLA Appropriateness Method. This article presents and discusses the consensus statements.

Efficacy of laser hair removal in hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by painful nodules, draining tunnels, and fibrotic scarring in intertriginous, hair-bearing areas. The pathogenesis involves follicular occlusion and subsequent rupture, leading to uncontrolled inflammation. Treatment options for HS are limited and lack universal effectiveness. Laser hair removal (LHR) has been explored as a potential treatment; however, the efficacy and appropriate laser modalities remain unclear. This systematic review examined the efficacy and adverse effects of LHR in HS.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to September 2023 in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and The Cochrane Library (Wiley) with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Ten studies were selected (n = 227 total patients) and included six randomized controlled trials, two nonrandomized experimental studies, and two case series. Various laser modalities, including long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) (n = 115), intense pulsed light (n = 18), Alexandrite (n = 54), intralesional 1064 nm diode (n = 20), and combined fractional CO2 and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser (n = 20), consistently demonstrated significant improvement in HS disease severity, irrespective of the disease scoring method used. Minimal adverse effects (primarily mild pain and erythema) were reported. A meta-analysis of three studies utilizing long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser demonstrated a standardized mean difference in disease severity of -1.68 (95% confidence interval: -2.99; -0.37), favoring treatment with LHR for HS.

CONCLUSIONS

Hair follicles are key in HS pathogenesis and all included studies showed a significant improvement in HS disease severity after LHR regardless of the laser device used, likely related to hair follicle unit destruction. HS is a complex and heterogenous condition, and multiple disease scoring methods complicate outcome comparisons across studies. However, LHR, utilizing various techniques, is an effective treatment option for HS with minimal adverse effects.

Surgical Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by recurrent draining sinuses and abscesses, predominantly in skin folds carrying terminal hairs and apocrine glands. Treatment for this debilitating disease has been medical management with antibiotics and immune modulators. With the advent of better reconstructive surgical techniques, the role of surgery in the treatment of HS has expanded, from being a last resort to a modality that is deployed earlier. Larger defects can be more easily reconstructed, allowing for a more radical excision of diseased areas. Locoregional flaps, perforator flaps, and propeller flaps that use the fasciocutaneous tissue allow reconstruction of defects with similar tissue, and provide better cosmetic and functional outcomes. They are easy to execute and can be performed even in resource-poor settings with concurrent use of immune modulators and postoperative antibiotics. Hidradenitis can be successfully treated with surgery in early stages as well as severe disease, due to the advances in understanding disease behavior, multidisciplinary care, and advanced reconstructive techniques. Coupled with a multidisciplinary care team, surgery offers a durable, lasting cure for HS, significantly reducing disease morbidity.

S2k‐Leitlinie zur Therapie der Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa – Kurzfassung

Die S2k‐Leitlinie der Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa (HS/AI) soll eine akzeptierte Entscheidungshilfe für die Auswahl/Durchführung einer geeigneten/suffizienten Therapie liefern. Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa ist eine chronisch‐rezidivierende, entzündliche, potenziell mutilierende Hauterkrankung des terminalen Haartalgdrüsenapparats, mit schmerzhaften, entzündlichen Läsionen in den apokrinen drüsenreichen Körperregionen. Ihre Punktprävalenz in Deutschland ist 0,3%, sie wird mit einer Verspätung von 10,0 ± 9,6 Jahren diagnostiziert. Abnormale Differenzierung der Keratinozyten des Haartalgdrüsenapparats und eine begleitende Entzündung bilden die zentrale pathogenetische Grundlage. Primäre HS/AI‐Läsionen sind entzündliche Knoten, Abszesse und drainierende Tunnel. Rezidive in den letzten 6 Monaten mit mindestens zwei Läsionen an den Prädilektionsstellen verweisen auf eine HS/AI mit einer 97‐prozentigen Genauigkeit. HS/AI‐Patienten leiden an einer deutlichen Einschränkung der Lebensqualität. Zur korrekten Therapieentscheidung sollen Klassifikation und Aktivitätsbewertung mit einem validierten Instrument erfolgen, wie dem International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4). Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa wird nach der Ausprägung der nachweisbaren Entzündung in zwei Formen eingeteilt: aktive, entzündliche (milde, mittelschwere und schwere nach IHS4) und vorwiegend inaktive, nicht entzündliche (Hurley‐Grad‐I, ‐II und ‐III) HS/AI. Orale Tetrazykline oder eine 5‐tägige intravenöse Therapie mit Clindamycin sind mit der Effektivität von Clindamycin/Rifampicin vergleichbar. Subkutan applizierbares Adalimumab, Secukinumab und Bimekizumab sind für die Therapie der HS/AI zugelassen. Für die vorwiegend nicht entzündliche Erkrankungsform stehen verschiedene operative Verfahren zur Verfügung. Medikamentöse/chirurgische Kombinationen gelten als ganzheitliches Therapieverfahren.

S2k guideline for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa / acne inversa - Short version

The S2k guideline on hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS/AI) aims to provide an accepted decision aid for the selection/implementation of appropriate/sufficient therapy. HS/AI is a chronic recurrent, inflammatory, potentially mutilating skin disease of the terminal hair follicle-glandular apparatus, with painful, inflammatory lesions in the apocrine gland-rich regions of the body. Its point prevalence in Germany is 0.3%, it is diagnosed with a delay of 10.0 ± 9.6 years. Abnormal differentiation of the keratinocytes of the hair follicle-gland apparatus and accompanying inflammation form the central pathogenetic basis. Primary HS/AI lesions are inflammatory nodules, abscesses and draining tunnels. Recurrences in the last 6 months with at least 2 lesions at the predilection sites point to HS/AI with a 97% accuracy. HS/AI patients suffer from a significant reduction in quality of life. For correct treatment decisions, classification and activity assessment should be done with a validated tool, such as the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4). HS/AI is classified into two forms according to the degree of detectable inflammation: active, inflammatory (mild, moderate, and severe according to IHS4) and predominantly inactive, non-inflammatory (Hurley grade I, II and III) HS/AI. Oral tetracyclines or 5-day intravenous therapy with clindamycin are equal to the effectiveness of clindamycin/rifampicin. Subcutaneously administered adalimumab, secukinumab and bimekizumab are approved for the therapy of HS/AI. Various surgical procedures are available for the predominantly non-inflammatory disease form. Drug/surgical combinations are considered a holistic therapy method.

Advances in surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurative

Hidradenitis suppurative is a chronic, refractory and recurrent dermatological disease. The disease should be managed by targeted surgical intervention on the basis of medical treatment. Currently, the surgical treatment methods include local treatments like incision and drainage, unroofing, laser therapy, intense pulsed light therapy, photodynamic therapy, as well as complete lesion resection such as skin-tissue saving excision with electrosurgical peeling and extended excision. The clearance range, therapeutic effect, postoperative complications, and recurrence risk vary among the different treatment methods. Local treatments cause less damage, but have high recurrence rates, and are mainly for mild to moderate hidradenitis suppurative patients. Complete lesion resections have relatively low recurrence rates, but may bring more surgical injuries, and postoperative reconstructions are needed, which are mainly for moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurative patients. In this article, the surgical treatment principles and various surgical treatment methods of hidradenitis suppurative are reviewed, to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in clinical practice.

Adalimumab in conjunction with surgery compared with adalimumab monotherapy for hidradenitis suppurativa: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a real-world setting

BACKGROUND

Adalimumab, the only biologic registered for hidradenitis suppurativa, shows clinical response in up to 60% of patients, leaving many patients in need for other treatment options such as surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effectiveness of adalimumab combined with surgery vs adalimumab monotherapy in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

METHODS

A pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial was performed from August 2018 to July 2022. Primary outcome was the difference in mean International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System reduction after 12 months of treatment with the difference in mean Dermatology Life Quality Index reduction as a key secondary outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were included per arm. The mean International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System at baseline was 23.9 ± 10.7 in the surgery group and 20.9 ± 16.4, in the monotherapy group. After 12 months of treatment the surgery group had a significantly greater reduction in International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System compared with the monotherapy group (-19.1 ± 11.3 vs -7.8 ± 11.8, P < .001). Moreover, the surgery group showed a greater reduction in Dermatology Life Quality Index after treatment compared with the monotherapy group (-8.2 ± 6.2 vs -4 ± 7.7, P = .02).

LIMITATIONS

The study follow-up was too short to assess surgical recurrence rates.

DISCUSSION

Combining adalimumab with surgery resulted in greater clinical effectiveness and improved quality of life after 12 months in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

Challenges in the Management of Perianal Hidradenitis Suppurativa in an African American Male: A Case Report

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), more commonly known as acne inversa, occurs due to chronic inflammation of the body's apocrine glands, most commonly affecting areas of the body where there is prolonged skin-on-skin friction. HS affects approximately 4% of the United States population, most commonly women in their second or third decade of life, especially those of African American ethnicity. HS presents as tender subcutaneous nodules which often rupture, leading to the formation of painful dermal abscesses which undergo fibrosis and lead to the formation of extensive sinus tracts, a phenomenon known as "tunneling". HS is staged clinically using the Hurley staging system, where the stage determines what treatment modalities are used. These modalities can include medical management such as antibiotics, or biologics such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors like adalimumab, as well as surgical options including incision with or without drainage. Due to the similar presentation of HS with other conditions, this disease is commonly misdiagnosed, often leading to delayed treatment initiation and worse outcomes for patients. Presented is a case report of a 30-year-old African American male with perianal HS and the potential long-term complications and challenges of management of this disease.

Surgical Procedural Definitions for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Developed by Expert Delphi Consensus

Importance

Various surgical approaches for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been described in the literature, but the nomenclature is inconsistent. Excisions have been described as wide, local, radical, and regional with variable descriptions of margins. Deroofing procedures have been described with various approaches though descriptions of the approach are generally more uniform. No international consensus has been formed to globally standardize terminology for HS surgical procedures. Lack of such agreement may contribute to misunderstanding or misclassification in HS procedural research studies and impair clear communication among clinicians or between clinicians and patients.

Objective

To create a set of standard definitions for HS surgical procedures.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This consensus agreement study was conducted from January to May 2021 using the modified Delphi consensus method to reach agreement among a group of international HS experts regarding standardized definitions for an initial set of HS surgical terms, including "incision and drainage," "deroofing/unroofing," "excision," "lesional excision," and "regional excision," ultimately expanded to 10 terms. Provisional definitions were drafted based on existing literature and discussion among an expert 8-member steering committee. Online surveys were disseminated to members of the HS Foundation, direct contacts of the expert panel, and the HSPlace listserv to reach physicians with considerable experience with HS surgery. Consensus was defined as greater than 70% agreement to accept a definition.

Results

In the first and second modified Delphi round, 50 and 33 experts participated, respectively. Ten surgical procedural terms and definitions reached consensus with greater than 80% agreement. Overall, the term "local" excision was abandoned and replaced with the descriptors "lesional" or "regional" excision. Of note, "regional" replaced the terms "wide" and "radical" excision. Furthermore, modifiers such as "partial" vs "complete" should also be included when describing surgical procedures. A combination of these terms helped formulate the final glossary of HS surgical procedural definitions.

Conclusion and Relevance

An international group of HS experts agreed on a set of definitions describing surgical procedures frequently used by clinicians and in the literature. The standardization and application of such definitions are vital to allow for accurate communication, reporting consistency, and uniform data collection and study design in the future.