title: The vein hook successfully used for eradication of steatocystoma multiplex.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyung Pook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. oblongata73@hanmail.net
authors.forename: Seok-Jong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoon Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Woen Ju
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Do Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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*