Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa have a higher rate of postoperative infections

Abstract

To the Editor: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a complex pathophysiology. Patients with HS have an increased risk of cutaneous and extracutaneous infection, possibly due to skin barrier disruption and immune dysregulation. 1 Nelson A.M. Cong Z. Gettle S.L. et al. E-cadherin and p120ctn protein expression are lost in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. Exp Dermatol. 2019; 28: 867-871https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.13973 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar ,2 Lee H.H. Patel K.R. Singam V. et al. Associations of cutaneous and extracutaneous infections with hidradenitis suppurativa in U.S. children and adults. Br J Dermatol. 2020; 182: 327-334https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18093 Crossref PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar Surgical management of HS lesions is an important treatment, but surgical site infection (SSI) can occur. 3 Alikhan A. Sayed C. Alavi A. et al. North American clinical management guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa: a publication from the United States and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations: part I: diagnosis, evaluation, and the use of complementary and procedural management. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019; 81: 76-90https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.067 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (151) Google Scholar Beyond HS-specific procedures, limited data exist on postoperative infections among patients with HS who undergo common surgical procedures. This study investigated the rates of postoperative infections, with a focus on SSI, for patients with and without HS for frequent surgical procedures that require skin incision. 4 Fingar K.R. Stocks C. Weiss A.J. et al. Most frequent operating room procedures performed in U.S. Hospitals, 2003-2012 #186. https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb186-Operating-Room-Procedures-United-States-2012.jspDate: 2014 Date accessed: July 19, 2022 Google Scholar