Congenital cutis laxa: a case report and review of loose skin syndromes.

Congenital cutis laxa is a deforming disease that may present for plastic surgical consultation during childhood. Failure to differentiate cutis laxa, with near normal wound healing, from the other forms of hyperelasticity syndromes with poor wound healing, has historically led to conflicting recommendations regarding the surgical management of patients presenting with loose skin. A face-lift and direct nasolabial fold excision was performed in a 10-year old patient with congenital cutis laxa with a good result. The other major syndromes presenting with loose skin as a clinical feature are reviewed and distinguished from cutis laxa. Plastic surgical procedures can be aesthetically and psychologically beneficial in children with congenital cutis laxa, and can be recommended without overt fear of wound disruption, poor scarring, and medical catastrophies that can occur with other hyperelasticity syndromes.