How To Treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Tissue-Sparing Excision

A tissue-sparing excision is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. It involves removal of the patches of skin where hidradenitis suppurativa is present, and some of the healthy skin surrounding the infected area must also be removed to create a wide margin of healthy tissue. After surgeons remove the affected areas of skin, a skin graft is used to cover the open wounds. For the best cosmetic result, this procedure should be performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Sometimes, a tissue-sparing excision procedure can be combined with electrosurgical peeling, a surgical method that allows doctors to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. Since the surgery can be extensive, patients may need to stay in the hospital for a few days to recover, and they may also need to take prescription pain relievers following the operation. Although the operation prevents future outbreaks of hidradenitis suppurativa in the areas with skin grafts, the condition can still occur in areas near the surgical site. Thus, patients should be monitored frequently for future outbreaks at follow-up appointments.