Clinical review of hidradenitis suppurativa

Summary Hidradenitis suppurativa is an uncommon disease that affects chiefly young male adults. It is characterized by an infection which begins in the skin and apocrine sweat glands and extends into the subcutaneous tissues. It may extend over wide areas and involve multiple sites. Milder forms of the disease respond to conservative surgical measures. Extensive lesions require wide surgical excision and reconstruction of the resultant defect. Owing to fecal contamination, perianal involvement presents an added difficulty which can be obviated by establishing a diverting colostomy prior to beginning surgical treatment.