Skin‐Tissue‐sparing Excision with Electrosurgical Peeling ( <scp>STEEP</scp> ): a surgical treatment option for severe hidradenitis suppurativa Hurley stage <scp>II</scp> / <scp>III</scp>

Abstract

In contrast to wide excisions that generally reach into the deep subcutaneous fat, the fat is maximally spared with the STEEP procedure by performing successive tangential excisions of lesional tissue until the epithelialized bottom of the sinus tracts has been reached. From here, secondary intention healing can occur. In addition, fibrotic tissue is completely removed in the same manner as this also serves as a source of recurrence. This tissue-sparing technique results in low recurrence rates, high patient satisfaction with relatively short healing times and favourable cosmetic outcomes without contractures.