Surgical Reconstruction in Pyoderma Gangrenosum, a Retrospective Study of Five Patients

Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by chronic painful ulcerations most commonly on the lower extremities. Current treatment options for PG are largely nonsurgical and include the use of systemic and topical immunomodulators and wound care. Wake Forest University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board Approval was obtained to perform a retrospective medical record review of PG patients from 2010 to 2023. Five patients, primarily female (80%) and Caucasian (60%), with a mean age of 68 ± 16 years at the time of first surgery met inclusion criteria. The average PG duration from diagnosis to STSG was 54 months (range of 9–20 months). Two patients required multiple grafts due to multiple PG lesions. Percent graft take ranged from 95% − 100% and the average time for total healing was 9 ± 5 weeks. While the sample size of this study may be limited due to controversial concerns with surgical intervention, it appears select patients may benefit from STSG for PG.