Dermatome shaving of psoriasis. Seven years experience in 112 patients

Data from the records of 112 patients who were treated by dermatome shaving for psoriasis vulgaris were analysed. A psoriatic "area" was defined as all psoriatic skin lesions present in a specific region at the first treatment, and 108 patients with 202 areas were included in the study. In 68 patients the treatment was limited to a single area, and 40 patients had from two to nine areas treated, mainly on the legs and arms. Complications occurred in nine patients; one had a wound infection that required treatment with an antibiotic, in five patients healing was prolonged, and three patients developed unsightly scars. Thirty-seven patients and 104 areas have not recurred during mean follow-up periods of 1.4 years and 1.9 years, respectively. In all 108 patients the median recurrence free period was eight months (range: 0-5.6 years). The median recurrence free period for the 202 areas was 13 months (range: 0-8.2 years). Reshaving of partial recurrences in 46 patients led to 40% that did not recur. The best prognostic factor available is to do a test shave before initiating more extensive treatment.