Surgical treatment of axillary hidradenitis suppurativa using a parascapular flap

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disease with a prevalence of approximately 1% in the population and is difficult to clinically treat. Through chronification, it may lead to functional limitations, especially in the axillary region.

Methods:

This study reports eight cases of axilla with chronic HS, Hurley stage III, treated with wide excision of the diseased part of the axillary region, followed by immediate reconstruction with a parascapular flap. The patients underwent surgery at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Service of the State Government Workers’ Hospital of São Paulo.

Results:

All the treated patients had no recurrence. All the parascapular flaps remained viable, and infection of one of the flaps (12.5%) was the immediate complication. Closure of the entire donor area was performed using primary synthesis.

Conclusion:

The treatment of chronic axillary HS, stage III, based on radical resection and reconstruction with a parascapular flap proved to be an effective alternative to locally control the disease and is a safe procedure to cover the axillary defect.

Keywords:
Hidradenitis suppurativa; Axilla; Surgical flaps; Reconstructive surgical procedures