title: Mild to moderate hidradenitis suppurativa treated with local excision and primary closure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease with a great impact on quality of life. Treatment with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as prednisone or TNF-alpha-inhibitors usually achieves only temporary improvement. Surgical intervention is considered as the only curative treatment for recurrent lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy and patient satisfaction of local excision followed by primary closure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2010, 92 local excisions with primary closure were performed in 57 patients with mild to moderate HS. All patients were treated on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthesia. Local excision was defined as complete excision of the affected tissue, beyond the borders of activity, leaving clear margins. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively in 2010. The final outcome of the procedure, cosmetic appearance and patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful treatment, without recurrence, was accomplished in 66% of the cases. The intervention was generally well tolerated: 84% of the patients stated that they would undergo the same surgical procedure again if necessary, and 89% would recommend the procedure to other patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local excision followed by primary closure is a valuable treatment for patients with mild to moderate HS (Hurly stage I & II), with low morbidity and a high patient satisfaction rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.c.vanrappard@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: van Rappard
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mooij
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mekkes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome