Person:

Lockwood, Stephen J.

Biologic agents have become more common to treat patients with psoriasis, but concerns about their effect on pregnancy and lactation often preclude this treatment during these time periods. During the past decade, we have gained a much better understanding of the course of psoriasis during pregnancy and the safety of the use of biologic agents during pregnancy and lactation. Under certain circumstances, biologic agents can be considered appropriate treatment options for patients who are pregnant or lactating.

Background

The risk of postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) in patients with a known history of PG is unknown.

Objective

To quantify risk and identify patient/procedure-related risk factors for postsurgical PG recurrence/exacerbation in patients with known history of PG.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the likelihood of postsurgical PG recurrence/exacerbation for all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PG at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital from 2000-2015.

Results

5.5% (n=33) of procedures led to recurrence of PG in 15.1% (n=25) of patients. Compared to skin biopsy, small open surgeries had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 8.65 (1.55, 48.33) for PG recurrence/exacerbation; large open surgeries had an aOR of 5.97 (1.70, 21.00); and Mohs surgery/skin excision had an aOR of 6.47 (1.77, 23.61). PG chronically present at the time of procedure had an aOR of 4.58 (1.72, 12.22). Immunosuppression, time elapsed since original PG diagnosis, and procedure location did not significantly influence risk.

Limitations

Our study is limited by its retrospective nature and relatively small sample size.

Conclusion

There is a small but clinically meaningful risk of postsurgical PG recurrence/exacerbation in patients with known history of PG; higher risks occur with more invasive procedures and chronically present PG.