The treatment of lichen amyloidosis. A review and a new technique.
BACKGROUND
A number of treatments for lichen amyloidosis have been described and the results are frequently unsatisfactory.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a new surgical technique that uses a scalpel to scrape the upper layer of the skin.


METHODS
A scalpel (No. 15) is pressed firmly and perpendicularly against the skin and scraped exactly parallel with the surface of the skin. This can be repeated until the subpapillary dermal layer.


RESULTS
Scraping with the scalpel removes the epidermis and deposits of amyloid in the dermis. All nine patients healed without complications with acceptable to good aesthetic results.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique is quick, effective, simple to perform, inexpensive, and safe. This is another option in the surgical treatment of selected cases of lichen amyloidosis.
Harahap
M
M
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia.
Marwali
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001706:Biopsy; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017512:Lichenoid Eruptions / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology