Abstract

Severe obesity is commonly associated with dermatologic disorders such as intertrigo, psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by clusters of nodules, cysts, and abscesses that commonly affects hair bearing areas such as axilla, groin and perianal regions. Treatments of HS are complicated and vary depending on presentation and severity of the disease. We report here, the case of a 36-year-old female who showed rapid improvement of long-standing treatment-refractory HS following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and subsequent weight loss. This severely obese patient had previously shown little response to multiple treatment modalities, including antibiotic therapies, isotretinoin, and surgical removal of abscess. Rapid improvement of lymphedema and abscess at axilla areas was observed during 12 months postoperatively. Weight loss may be of value in the treatment of HS, and bariatric surgery may be considered in cases of complicated HS with morbid obesity.

Authors and Affiliations