A comparison of skin grafting and healing by granulation, following axillary excision for hidradenitis suppurativa

The treatment of established hidradenitis suppurativa demands complete excision of the apocrine glands in the affected area. Ten patients undergoing bilateral excision of the axillary skin, had one axilla grafted and the other allowed to heal by granulation utilising Silastic foam dressing, in order to compare the two methods. Split skin grafting resulted in more rapid healing of the excised area than healing by secondary intention. However, Silastic foam dressing resulted in certain healing with a good cosmetic result and avoided the need for immobilisation and a painful donor site. Most patients in this series preferred Silastic foam dressing to skin grafting.