Proceeding report of the Second Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) 2017

Efficacy and safety of a combined pharmacological and surgical approach in patients affected by hidradenitis suppurativa: data from a retrospective real-world clinical study

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating chronic skin disease; its therapeutic approach often requires combined medical and surgical treatment.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the surgical approach combined with different pharmacological treatments, evaluating the proportion of patients achieving the hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response (HiSCR), along with the incidence of postoperative complications, and local recurrence. A retrospective study of HS patients (Hurley I-III) presenting at least one skin lesion requiring surgery was performed. Demographic and clinical data were collected (kind and anatomical location of lesion excised, type of surgical procedure). Further data included: Hurley stage and IHS4 at baseline and week 16, HiSCR at week 16 after surgery, ongoing therapy at the time of surgery (topical, systemic antibiotic, biologics), postoperative complications and local recurrence at week 16.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients with female predominance (66.7%, 28/42), with a mean age of 30.3 (SD±10.5) years, were enrolled. At week 16, 53% of patients achieved HiSCR, with baseline Hurley III inversely related to HiSCR achievement (P<0.05). No increased incidence of postoperative complications was detected. Three cases of local recurrence were reported at week 16.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy in the management of HS; no increased risk of complications emerged among patients concomitantly treated with biologics, compared to those on conventional systemic therapy or exclusively treated with surgery.

Surgical Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Factors Associated with Postoperative Complications and Disease Recurrence

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Treatment of HS remains challenging, and surgical procedures commonly follow attempts of conservative therapy. To date, a consensus regarding the optimal surgical technique has not been reached, and the implications of conservative therapy on future surgical outcomes have yet to be studied.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 65 patients surgically treated for HS at a tertiary care center was conducted. Patients' medical records were screened for demographical, clinical, and surgical characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine associations with postoperative complications and disease recurrence.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (75.8%) were treated with systemic antibiotics before opting for surgical resection. Previous treatment with systemic rifampicin was associated with higher rates of postoperative complications (P = 0.029); however, systemic cephalexin and topical clindamycin were associated with a lower rate of complications (P = 0.007 and 0.040, accordingly). Medical history of smoking and surgical management with split-thickness skin grafts were associated with higher rates of postoperative complications (P = 0.012 and 0.014, accordingly). Patients with a greater number of lesions, and those treated with split-thickness skin graft, had higher rates of disease recurrence (P = 0.0018 and 0.003, accordingly).In a multivariate analysis a greater number of lesions (P = 0.0498) and the use of autologous split-thickness skin graft (P = 0.022) were independently associated with higher rates of disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous conservative medical therapy bears the potential to modulate postoperative outcomes in HS patients, and should be taken into consideration. Despite reports of reliable results with split-thickness skin grafts, we found them to be associated with increased rates of diseases recurrence and postoperative complications.

Should We Scan Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients? A Systematic Review of Radiologic Findings

OBJECTIVE

To bring awareness and close gaps between dermatologists and radiologists about the contribution of imaging techniques for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

DATA SOURCES

Investigators searched the PubMed database for articles on HS and radiology techniques.

STUDY SELECTION

Databases were searched up to December 2018. The query retrieved 257 publications, of which 103 were unique; of these, 7 were inaccessible. From the remaining 96, 33 were irrelevant (did not discuss HS lesion features). After applying the inclusion criteria, 63 studies were relevant to this study.

DATA EXTRACTION

A standardized form was constructed to extract data from eligible studies by two independent authors.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Imaging techniques are significant and useful tools in HS management. Imaging should be carried out to evaluate disease severity, subclinical features, treatment success, and intraoperative patient assessment. Providers should consider nonconventional radiology techniques, which are underused in clinical management of HS. Further, dermatology and radiology require a shared terminology of disease features to better understand patient status.

CONCLUSIONS

Publications on HS lesion imaging have increased over the years. Imaging techniques have proven useful for determining HS severity and treatment effectiveness, as well as intraoperative patient assessment. These authors strongly recommend the use of these techniques in routine clinical practice for patients with HS.

Proceeding report of the Fourth Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances 2019

The Fourth Annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa (SHSA) took place on November 1-3, 2019, at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. This symposium was a joint meeting of the US Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation and the Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation. This cross-disciplinary meeting with experts from around the world was an opportunity to discuss the most recent advances in the study of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) pathogenesis, clinical trials, classification, scoring systems, complementary/alternative medical treatments, diet, pain management, surgical and laser treatment, and ultrasonographic assessment. A special preconference workshop was held on the use of neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser hair reduction, sinus tract deroofing, and carbon dioxide laser excision with ultrasonographic mapping and tumescent anesthesia for the treatment of HS. The focused workshops on establishing an HS clinic, setting up an HS support group, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Prospective Observational Registry and Biospecimen Repository, and wound care were held during the meeting. A special program called HS Ambassadors was established for patients who may have questions about the conference presentations, and in addition, a meet and greet for patients and HS Ambassadors was arranged. To facilitate networking between those early in their careers and clinical and research experts, a mentoring reception was held.

Proceeding report of the third symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa advances (SHSA) 2018

The 3rd Annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) took place on 12-14 October 2018 at the Women's College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This symposium was a joint meeting of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (HSF) founded in the USA and the Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (CHSF). This cross-disciplinary meeting with experts from around the world was an opportunity to discuss the most recent advances in the study of hidradenitis suppurativa pathogenesis, epidemiology, classification, scoring systems, radiologic diagnosis, treatment approaches and psychologic assessment. Two special sessions this year were HS as a systemic disease and HS management guidelines. There were focused workshops on wound healing and ultrasound. There were two sessions primarily for patients and their families in the HS School programme: One workshop focused on mindfulness, and the second involved discussion among clinicians and patients about various disease aspects and the latest management. To facilitate networking between clinical and research experts and those early in their career, a mentoring breakfast was held.