Introduction
Demographics
Causes
Clinical features
Variation in skin types
Complications
Diagnosis
Differential diagnoses
Treatment
Prevention
Outcome
Autonomic denervation dermatitis (ADD) is an uncommon localised eczematous eruption around a surgical incision site. It is often associated with cutaneous anaesthesia or hypoesthesia, and may result from iatrogenic nerve damage and autonomic disruption from surgery.
Various nomenclatures, such as traumatic eczematous dermatitis and neuropathy dermatitis, have been used synonymously to describe different entities. Surgery of the Knee, Injury to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous Nerve, Traumatic Eczematous Dermatitis (SKINTED) refers to a subset of patients who develop autonomic denervation dermatitis following knee surgery.
Data on autonomic denervation dermatitis is limited. At least 82 cases have been reported in the literature but this is likely to be an underestimate of the incidence. It affects both female and male adults, the majority over the age of 50 years.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis most frequently occurs following total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. It has also been reported following other surgical procedures including saphenous vein graft harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery, knee arthroscopies, fracture fixations of the leg, and amputation.
A small prospective study of 203 consecutive TKR patients reported a 4.4% incidence of autonomic denervation dermatitis.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis may result from a denervation injury due to the transection of dermal nerve fibres during surgery and autonomic disruption. The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve is particularly vulnerable during TKR.
Various contributing mechanisms have been speculated such as:
Onset may develop 3 weeks to 3 years following surgery.
Clinical features include:
Autonomic denervation dermatitis following TKR performed through an anterior midline incision is frequently associated with cutaneous sensory loss in the distribution of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. The eczematous eruption is often localised lateral to the midline incision, although it can cross to both sides.
Patients who develop autonomic denervation dermatitis following bilateral TKRs often present with unilateral disease, although bilateral presentations have been reported.
There are no reports in the literature of different clinical presentations in various skin types, however erythema is often less apparent in darker skin types, which may affect the appearance of the rash.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis may result in:
No functional limitations have been reported.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis is diagnosed clinically. Bacterial swabs can be considered to exclude infection.
Skin biopsy is not routinely required for diagnosis. Histology shows subacute or chronic spongiotic dermatitis with a lymphocytic infiltrate.
Patch testing is often negative and is not routinely required. However, a minority of patients test positive to chromate, nickel, or cobalt; the significance of this is unclear.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis responds well to regular and liberal topical emollients and topical corticosteroids. In severe cases, oral steroids can be considered.
The aim is to reduce the risk of iatrogenic nerve injury during surgery through careful dissection, minimising pressure from retractors, considering alternative surgical incisions, and preoperative counselling.
Autonomic denervation dermatitis gradually resolves with topical treatment in the majority of patients. The associated sensory loss often resolves due to reinnervation. Some patients experience relapses, especially in the winter.
