The efficacy and safety of endo‐radiofrequency for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and recurrent disease of the axilla and groin with inflammatory lesions. There is no definitive medication or intervention to cure the disease. Radiofrequency (RF) is a modality to destroy the lesions by transferring heat into the skin. To date, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RF at HS.MethodsThis 9‐month, prospective, nonrandomized, and single‐blinded study is a clinical trial conducted in 10 patients with refractory HS. In all patients, the initial grade of HS was evaluated. The procedure involved treating HS of the axilla with a endo‐RF wave device. Post‐treatment evaluation included: determination of the severity of the disease by a blinded dermatologist, the degree of patient satisfaction, tolerability in each patient, and complications of the procedure. We also evaluate the recurrence of the disease during a 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsThe satisfaction level after the intervention among under‐studied cases was excellent and good in six of cases. There was a significant difference in comparing the grading score of patients before and 3 months after receiving RF (P‐value: 0.01). Regarding tolerability, eight of the patients could tolerate it. We had no complication after the intervention and four cases had not recurrence during a 6‐month follow‐up.ConclusionEndo‐RF is an effective and safe modality for treating HS however to prevent the recurrence, periodic therapy sessions are needed.