Promising long-term outcomes of the reused skin-graft technique for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: The reused skin-graft technique can be used to treat chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa, but long-term outcomes and the reliability of the technique have not been reported.

METHODS: In a retrospective review of 18 men with chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa (age range, 18-68 years) treated with a reused skin graft between June 2004 and March 2012, we evaluated disease severity (Hurley classification system), skin-graft thickness, the need for an additional normal skin graft, histological findings and recurrence rate at the surgical site.

RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 61.3 months (range, 17-113 months). Five cases were classified into severity group I, 12 cases into severity group II and one case into severity group III. The range of skin-graft thicknesses was 0.013-0.020 inches. An additional donor site was unnecessary in 10 cases (three cases in group I (60%) and seven cases in group II (58.3%)). Histological examination indicated that a buried epidermal cyst could cause chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa recurrence, although none of the patients experienced recurrence at the surgical site during follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The reused skin-graft technique is reliable for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa resection, and it shows promising long-term outcomes.