The vein hook successfully used for eradication of steatocystoma multiplex.
BACKGROUND
Steatocystoma multiplex is characterized by the formation of the numerous cutaneous cysts in the exposed area leaving some cosmetic problems for the patients. Only surgical excision has been effective, and its several variations were done with limited success. Because the patients usually have many cysts, excision of cysts was tedious for the doctors and left scars on the patients.


METHODS
Five patients agreeing to participate in this experiments were selected. The vein hook used for ambulatory phlebectomy was employed to eradicate the cysts. The skin was incised approximately 2 to 3 mm in length. Then the mosquito forceps removed the cysts by gently squeezing or hooking the inner or outer cyst wall. By completely removing tissue around the cyst, recurrence was able to be prevented.


RESULTS
It took approximately 1 minute to excise one cyst completely, it left no hypertrophic scars except for transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it had no recurrences for 14 to 30 months on five patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of this instrument is very simple and time-saving, providing excellent success rate with favorable cosmetic results. It can be a good alternative for eradication of the cysts in steatocystma multiplex. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Lee
Seok-Jong
SJ
Department of Dermatology, Kyung Pook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. oblongata73@hanmail.net
Choe
Yoon Seok
YS
Park
Byung Chul
BC
Lee
Woen Ju
WJ
Kim
Do Won
DW
D000328:Adult; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*