Negative-pressure dressings in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

Negative-pressure dressings have been used in the treatment of a variety of open wounds, and as a bolster for skin grafts. The benefits of these dress ings include increased oxygen tension in the wound, decreased bacterial cou nts, increased granulation formation, and the prevention of shear force on wounds. Also, by virtue of the diminished need for daily dressing changes, there are the additional advantages of enhancing patient comfort, decreasin g nursing work, and diminished cost of wound care. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic infection of the apocrine sweat glands. Treatment option s range from oral isotretinoin to radical excision. Wound closure may be ac hieved by secondary intention, skin grafting, or flap closure, Complication s may still arise and include disease progression and squamous cell carcino ma. Radical excision yields the best results in terms of disease eradicatio n. The authors describe using the negative-pressure dressing in two cases o f bilateral axillary HS to secure skin grafts firmly to the wound bed after radical excision of all involved tissues. Patient comfort and acceptance w as high, and skin graft take was excellent. The dressings themselves are si mple to apply and are highly effective.