Axillary Hidradenitis Supprativa Surgical Management : Case Series

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the apocrine gland bearing skin including axilla, inframammary area, inguinal, perianal, gluteal and pubic region etc. This disease was described as chronic inflammation of apocrine glands termed as apocrinitis by Harrision. However, it's a misnomer it also involves the eccrine glands and subcutaneous tissue. Methods: We present here a case series of 10 patients, presented with recurrent bilateral hidradenitis. All of them were females. Patients underwent surgical excision of the disease involving all the hair bearing skin and subcutaneous reaching upto the axillary sheath including 1-2 cm of adjacent normal tissue. The defect was converted into rhomboid shape and covered by anteriorly based limberg flap taken from the lateral side of chest. Patients were followed for 3 months. Wound healed well in most of the patients (80%). 2 pa Results: tients had had wound dehiscence (20%) which was managed conservatively by dressings. No recurrence till date. Patients achieved full range of motion at shoulder joint. Bilateral axillary limberg flap with complete exci Conclusion: sion of diseased tissue for treatment of bilateral axillary hidradenitis has given excellent results with no flap failure, aesthetically good scars, early post op recovery, lesser operative time, lesser surgical skills and full range of shoulder mobility. There has been no recurrence of the disease in all our cases till now.