The treatment of rhinophyma. 'Cold' vs laser techniques.

OBJECTIVE

To compare laser surgery and sharp blade excision of rhinophyma.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of 23 patients treated surgically for rhinophyma.

SETTING

Four academic tertiary referral medical centers.

PARTICIPANTS

All 23 patients had moderate or major rhinophyma.

INTERVENTION

Sixteen patients had laser surgery. Seven patients had sharp blade excision.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Length of the procedure, preservation of normal tissue, the need for skin grafting, intraoperative pain and discomfort, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain and discomfort, postoperative bleeding, complications, and end results (all listed in the literature as advantages of laser surgery).

RESULTS

No difference in length of surgery, preservation of normal tissue, complications, postoperative pain, and end results. No need for skin grafting in both procedures. Less intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, easier and smoother procedure, and more comfortable postoperative care with laser surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not agree with most of the list of advantages attributed to laser rhinophyma surgery in the literature.