Effectiveness of wide local excision and secondary intention healing in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a single-center study on quality of life and mental health outcomes

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and mental health. Effective management often involves both medical and surgical interventions. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of wide local excision and secondary intention healing in improving quality of life and mental health in patients with moderate to severe HS. A single-center prospective study was conducted with 40 patients suffering from moderate to severe HS, refractory to prior treatments. Pre-surgical ultrasound mapping of lesions was performed using Ultra High-Frequency Ultrasound (UHFUS). Patients underwent wide surgical excision followed by secondary intention healing based on HS-TIME principles. Quality of life was measured using Skindex-16, and mental health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), with subscales for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks post-surgery, and after complete wound healing. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and multiple linear regression to determine factors influencing outcomes. The study included 14 males and 26 females with a mean age of 39 years. Significant improvements were observed in Skindex-16 scores (pre: 57.92, post: 16.03) and HADS scores (HADS-A: pre: 6.13, post: 2.63; HADS-D: pre: 5.50, post: 3.21), indicating reduced pain, discomfort, and psychological distress. Multivariate analysis revealed that improvements were associated with male sex, HS stage II, longer disease duration, and lower BMI. Wide local excision combined with secondary intention healing significantly improves quality of life and mental health in HS patients. The findings suggest that a comprehensive approach addressing both surgical and psychological aspects can enhance patient outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term benefits and the development of standardized postoperative care protocols.