title: An effective extraction technique for the treatment of closed macrocomedones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Closed macrocomedones are unsightly lesions that may be resistant to medical treatments and comedone extractors. Light cautery has been used to treat macrocomedones, which are 1 to 3 mm in size; however, its success in larger and chronic lesions is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To introduce an alternative treatment technique for this neglected problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated these lesions by using cautery and standard dissecting forceps. After puncturing the macrocomedones in the center using the sharp-tipped cautery point, we grasped the base of the comedone using standard dissecting forceps and squeezed and pulled out the contents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients were treated with this technique, all of whom tolerated the procedure well and judged the cosmetics results as very good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend this procedure for patients who have closed macrocomedones larger than 3 mm in size, although it is an effective treatment for macrocomedones of any size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. tikaya@mersin.edu.tr
authors.forename: Tamer Irfan
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tursen
authors.forename: Aysin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokturk
authors.forename: Guliz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ikizoglu
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000601:surgery*; D002425:Cautery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome