Modified surgical excision for the treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis.
BACKGROUND
Chondrodermatitis nodularis (CN) is a common inflammatory condition of the ear that produces a painful papule or nodule on the helix or antihelix. Excision of the cartilage alone has been demonstrated to be therapeutically and cosmetically effective.


OBJECTIVE
To simplify the surgical procedure.


METHODS
We used two steps to refine the classic technique. We excised a narrow ellipse of skin over the nodule and replaced cold steel dissection by injecting normal saline into the plane of cleavage between the skin and cartilage.


RESULTS
These two refinements resulted in maintaining the clinical and cosmetic efficacy and simplified the surgical technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of an elliptical excision over the nodule and the use of hydrodissection in the surgical treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis were of benefit to both the patient and the surgeon.
Ormond
Patrick
P
St. Vincent's University Hospital and The City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, Hume Street, Dublin, Ireland.
Collins
Paul
P
D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans