The efficacy and safety of endo‐radiofrequency for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and recurrent disease of the axilla and groin with inflammatory lesions. There is no definitive medication or intervention to cure the disease. Radiofrequency (RF) is a modality to destroy the lesions by transferring heat into the skin. To date, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RF at HS. METHODS: This 9‐month, prospective, nonrandomized, and single‐blinded study is a clinical trial conducted in 10 patients with refractory HS. In all patients, the initial grade of HS was evaluated. The procedure involved treating HS of the axilla with a endo‐RF wave device. Post‐treatment evaluation included: determination of the severity of the disease by a blinded dermatologist, the degree of patient satisfaction, tolerability in each patient, and complications of the procedure. We also evaluate the recurrence of the disease during a 6‐month follow‐up. RESULTS: The satisfaction level after the intervention among under‐studied cases was excellent and good in six of cases. There was a significant difference in comparing the grading score of patients before and 3 months after receiving RF (P‐value: 0.01). Regarding tolerability, eight of the patients could tolerate it. We had no complication after the intervention and four cases had not recurrence during a 6‐month follow‐up. CONCLUSION: Endo‐RF is an effective and safe modality for treating HS however to prevent the recurrence, periodic therapy sessions are needed.