Solving acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa) in Crohn disease with buried chip skin grafts.

BACKGROUND: Acne inversa is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease associated with abscess and fistula formation and subsequent scarring. In recent years, an increasing number of reports have been published about acne inversa and concomitantly occurring Crohn disease. Extensive anogenitoperineal soft tissue defects represent an enormous challenge to therapy. Common treatment strategies of reconstructive surgery such as local flaps, free flaps, or split-thickness skin grafts are frequently problematic and associated with poor outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report is to demonstrate the clinical problem of extensive anogenitoperineal soft tissue defects and to present a surgical technique that can be successfully used in such difficult cases.

METHODS: In both cases, extensive excision of the affected areas was carried out down to the gluteal muscles followed by intramuscular grafting of buried skin chip grafts.

RESULTS: In both cases, the final postoperative results after numerous surgeries were very good, with complete wound closure resulting in complete recovery and social reintegration.

CONCLUSION: The technique of buried skin chip grafting has long been ignored since split-thickness skin grafting and different techniques of flap coverage evolved, but it may constitute a highly efficient treatment strategy in challenging reconstructive situations.