Another Cup of Tea with Dr D! Part 2: Closing the Loop on Managing HS

In Part Two of the Tea with Dr. D premiere, James Q. Del Rosso, DO, returns with Lauren Lam, MD, a Canadian dermatologist with a keen interest and extensive experience in managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). After covering overall considerations and the medical side of HS management in Part One, they shift gears to focus on important physical approaches, including one of the most effective—and often underutilized—surgical interventions: deroofing. 

Dr Lam emphasizes the importance of both medical and surgical interventions in order to provide comprehensive management of this multifaceted disease state. She shares her step-by-step approach for identifying which lesions are best suited for deroofing, breaking down key considerations like Hurley staging, scarring assessment, and palpation for sinus tracts. From assessing lesions that have resisted biologic therapy to recognizing when a seemingly mild case may actually benefit from surgical intervention, she explains how deroofing fits seamlessly into a well-rounded HS treatment plan, often working in tandem with biologic agents to address stubborn or recurrent lesions without disrupting systemic control. 

The conversation then turns to technique. Dr Lam outlines her preferred tools, all which are easily accessible in dermatology practices, and explains how she navigates physically challenging areas like the axilla and groin. The pair emphasize the importance of patient education; Dr Del Rosso raises questions about preventing complications such as biofilm formation and hypergranulation, while Dr Lam addresses these issues and shares her strategies for effective wound management. 

Together, they reflect on how deroofing can markedly improve comfort and quality of life for HS patients, particularly those who have struggled with focal areas of chronic drainage and recurrent abscesses despite optimized medical therapy. Dr Lam’s enthusiasm for the procedure is readily apparent and contagious, and her practical advice makes the incorporation of deroofing into the management plan feel readily achievable, even for dermatology clinicians who are new to surgical HS management.