A new systematic review suggests that there is insufficient evidence for a course of action related to smoking and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) surgical outcomes, given an apparent weak association between smoking and poor HS surgical outcomes.1
This review was authored in part by Akash Rau, an MD candidate from the department of medicine at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The investigators noted that there is a range of surgical treatments for individuals with HS, from deroofing to surgical excision.2
These surgeries can also vary in extent, from lesional to regional. Rau et al. also highlighted prior data suggesting smoking and obesity are closely linked to HS.3
“There are limited studies assessing this relationship,” Rau and colleagues wrote. “Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to…