A case of refractory hypertrophic lupus erythematosus on the face whose irreversible skin fibrosis was treated by local full-thickness skin graft under disease control with a combined use of topical and systemic immunosuppressants, and hydroxychloroquine

Hypertrophic lupus erythematosus (HLE) remains pose a treatment challenge, and often displays disfiguring scar with cosmetic and/or functional impairment. We report a male case of refractory hypertrophic lupus erythematosus on the face, whose disease activity was controlled with a combined use of topical and systemic immunosuppressants, and hydroxychloroquine. The persisted, irreversible fibrotic skin mass was finally treated with surgical approach using full-thickness skin graft, achieving a favorable cosmetic result.