A two-stage technique using a bovine dermal substitute to treat axillary hidradenitis

Abstract Axillary hidradenitis suppurativa cannot be cured by conservative therapy or by incision and drainage. Total resection of the lesion, including the hair-bearing area of axilla, is required for its radical treatment. The extensive skin defect, created by resection of the lesion, needs to be...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract Axillary hidradenitis suppurativa cannot be cured by conservative therapy or by incision and drainage. Total resection of the lesion, including the hair-bearing area of axilla, is required for its radical treatment. The extensive skin defect, created by resection of the lesion, needs to be dealt with by functional reconstruction, taking into account that this area is involved in shoulder movement. Three cases of axillary hidradenitis suppurativa were recently treated using a two-stage operation, i.e., total resection of the hair-bearing area of axilla and covering of the skin defect with artificial skin at the first stage followed by 10/1,000 in. split-thickness skin grafting at the second stage. The artificial skin, which was used is Terudermis (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), is a bovine dermal substitute with a silicon sheath. After surgery, there was no scar contraction of the skin-grafted area. The reconstructed axilla retained an appropriate contour and was aesthetically satisfactory. Closure of the defect could be done safely in an infection free state. Ausführliche Beschreibung