Table 1.

Reconstructive techniques

Technique
Secondary intention healing	Pros: scars that have considerably smaller dimensions in comparison with the initial defect, lack of donor sites, no flap or graft loss, and an acceptable range of motion Cons: relatively long healing times, painful dressing changes, need for meticulous wound care, and risk of wound contracture, particularly with large excisions
Primary suture	Pros/Cons: simple, but appropriate only in case of minor defects surrounded by lax skin
Artificial dermis and skin graft	Pros: versatile procedure to close large areas of resection; ensures acceptable functional and esthetic results; dermal substitutes, using a 2-step procedure, can be used for the treatment of severe HS with good esthetic and functional results Cons: skin grafts may be complicated by graft healing problems and donor site morbidity and may result in contractures, noticeable differences of color and texture with the surrounding skin^, and extensive scarring
Flaps	Pros: best quality of skin closure and may prevent contractures and bad scarring Cons: harvesting procedure is difficult and invasive; they are prone to serious complications like tissue necrosis and hemorrhage; moreover, local flaps might sometimes carry the same affected skin and lead to local recurrences; therefore, local or regional flaps can only be used if a wide and adequate excision with safe margins is performed