There are several surgical options available for managing HS, ranging from minor outpatient procedures to more involved surgeries. The right choice depends on the severity of your condition, the location of lesions, and how well other treatments have worked.
Here's a quick overview of the main surgical options:
- Incision Show Full Answer
There are several surgical options available for managing HS, ranging from minor outpatient procedures to more involved surgeries. The right choice depends on the severity of your condition, the location of lesions, and how well other treatments have worked.
Here's a quick overview of the main surgical options:
- Incision and Drainage (I&D) — A small cut is made to drain painful nodules or abscesses. It offers short-term relief but isn't a long-term solution and doesn't prevent future flare-ups.
- Deroofing/Unroofing — The skin covering a sinus tract or lesion is removed, allowing it to drain and heal naturally. It's minimally invasive and often preferred over I&D for better outcomes.
- Punch Debridement — A small, round blade removes individual lesions and the hair follicles that caused them. Wounds typically heal quickly.
- Excision — A more aggressive approach that removes larger areas of affected skin and tissue. It may require stitches, skin grafts, or can be left to heal on its own. Surgery isn't always the first step. Many doctors recommend trying biologics or other anti-inflammatory treatments beforehand to reduce inflammation and lesion size, which can lead to better surgical outcomes.
Underarm (axillary) HS tends to respond well to surgery since there's less friction and the area is easier to care for post-procedure compared to areas like the groin or buttocks. A few important things to keep in mind before pursuing surgery:
- Always discuss all treatment options with your doctor before deciding on surgery
- Make sure you understand the risks, especially if you have open skin or bacteria in the affected area, as healing can be more complicated
- Ask about anesthesia, recovery time, and whether you'll need someone to drive you
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of any procedure
- Manage expectations — surgery can improve symptoms and quality of life, but results vary Dermatologists most commonly perform HS surgeries, but depending on the location of lesions, other specialists like plastic surgeons, colorectal surgeons, or OB-GYNs may also be involved.
It's worth having an open conversation with your care team to figure out which approach makes the most sense for your specific situation.
August 8
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