Safety and efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Galvanic Electrolysis for hidradenitis suppurativa

Galvanic electrolysis or current therapy is a safe, effective non-drug treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa dermal tunnels, offering high response rates with single in-office administration and mild, reversible adverse effects.

This pilot study aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous galvanic current in painful and inflamed and/or draining dermal tunnels of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

This open-label study utilized a one-way recurring measures design over time. Patients underwent evaluations at 4 and 12 weeks after galvanic current therapy. The primary efficacy variable was defined as a combined clinical response at week 12, indicated by the absence of suppuration or inflammation upon examination and during clinical interviews. Potential adverse effects were documented during each visit and through telephonic reports.

The study included 26 patients (male-to-female ratio = 5:8; Mean age = 35.84 years). Twelve weeks after receiving galvanic current, 77% (20 out of 26) of the treated lesions showed a complete response. There were no severe adverse effects. The average procedural pain relief was 0.03 [SD = 0.2] as measured by the numeric rating scale.

Galvanic electrolysis demonstrated to be painless, effective and well-tolerated in treating inflamed and draining dermal tunnels in patients with acne inversa, also called HS.