The treatment of rhinophyma. 'Cold' vs laser techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To compare laser surgery and sharp blade excision of rhinophyma.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 23 patients treated surgically for rhinophyma.


METHODS
Four academic tertiary referral medical centers.


METHODS
All 23 patients had moderate or major rhinophyma.


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


METHODS
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.
Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn.
G
G
Har-El
S M
SM
Shapshay
R K
RK
Bohigian
Y P
YP
Krespi
F E
FE
Lucente
D000368:Aged; D003869:Dermabrasion; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012224:Rhinophyma / Q000601:surgery*