Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Medical-Surgical Consultation in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Improves Patient Journey and Time to Surgery.

INTRODUCTION

Surgery is a crucial part in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The integration of surgical and medical treatment is sometimes difficult to achieve as it involves different specialists. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the role of a multidisciplinary medical-surgical consultation for patients with HS.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study to describe patient characteristics, assess referral reasons, analyze decisions made during the multidisciplinary consultation, and evaluate its impact on time to surgery and disease control.

RESULTS

The profile of the patient referred to the multidisciplinary consultation is a man with severe disease. The lesions prompting referral were usually located on the lower part of the body. Surgery was indicated in 73.91% of patients. In terms of medical treatment, 30.43% of patients underwent modifications to their biological therapy, including the introduction of a new biologic drug and target (23.91%) or dosage changes (6.52%). There was a significant reduction in the waiting time to be operated by general surgery after the implementation of this consultation (420.65 vs. 167 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the presence of a multidisciplinary surgical consultation in HS may be useful in treating patients with complex structural disease, optimizing resources and improving comprehensive patient care. Additionally, it can have a positive impact on time to surgery, which is highly relevant for a progressive disease such as HS.