Platelet-Rich Plasma and Acellular Dermal Matrix in the Surgical Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Comparative Retrospective Study

Abstract

(1) Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease with recurrent, chronic, painful, and purulent skin lesions. Topical or systemic antibiotics are the most widely used treatments for the management of mild stages of the disease. In chronic cases (Hurley II/III), wide excision of lesions should be considered. During reconstructive surgery, the most problematic aspect is wound closure. Very large excisional wounds require reconstructive techniques such as skin flaps, skin grafts, or both. Surgical methods have their limitations, so reconstructive methods in HS surgery need to be continuously improved through the use of, for example, platelet-rich plasma and acellular dermal matrix; (2) Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and efficacy of surgical treatment of patients with HS using local skin flaps injected with PRP compared to a group of local skin flaps without platelet-rich plasma injection, an acellular dermal matrix, and split-thickness skin graft co-grafts. Sixty-one patients (29 males and 32 females) were included in the study. Most patients were characterized by Hurley grade III HS; (3) Results: The use of PRP injection in reconstructions (skin flaps) improved healing and reduced the number of complications, a notable trend in this study. A co-graft of acellular dermal matrix and split-thickness skin graft gave better therapeutic results than split-thickness skin graft alone (fewer days in hospital, fewer postoperative complications); (4) Conclusions: PRP injected into skin flaps, co-grafted acellular dermal matrix, and split-thickness skin grafts are good options for the surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.