title: Modified surgical excision for the treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent's University Hospital and The City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, Hume Street, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ormond
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans