Promising long-term outcomes of the reused skin-graft technique for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa

Background The reused skin-graft technique can be used to treat chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa, but long-term outcomes and the reliability of the technique have not been reported. Methods In a retrospective review of 18 men with chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa (age range, 18–68 years) treated with a reused skin graft between June 2004 and March 2012, we evaluated disease severity (Hurley classification system), skin-graft thickness, the need for an additional normal skin graft, histological findings and recurrence rate at the surgical site. Results The mean duration of follow-up was 61.3 months (range, 17–113 months). Five cases were classified into severity group I, 12 cases into severity group II and one case into severity group III. The range of skin-graft thicknesses was 0.013–0.020 inches. An additional donor site was unnecessary in 10 cases (three cases in group I (60%) and seven cases in group II (58.3%)). Histological examination indicated that a buried epidermal cyst could cause chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa recurrence, although none of the patients experienced recurrence at the surgical site during follow-up. Conclusion The reused skin-graft technique is reliable for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa resection, and it shows promising long-term outcomes.