Dermatome shaving of psoriasis

Abstract

Dermatome shaving was performed in 20 patients with chronic recalcitrant plaque psoriasis. The level of shaving was just beneath the superficial dermal vascular plexus. Healing was achieved in 2 weeks. After 1 year, six patients had shown no recurrence; 10 patients had a few guttate elements in the shaved area, while four patients had significant recurrence. Recurrences were related to residual acanthotic epidermis left after shaving. A general recommendation of surgical treatment for psoriasis would be hazardous on the basis of these results. However, shaving may constitute an alternative treatment of recalcitrant plaques of limited extent.