title: Simplified surgical treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis by cartilage trimming and sutureless skin closure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chondrodermatitis nodularis (CN) is a common painful ear condition, most commonly seen at the apex of the helix. Many different treatment methods for it have been advocated but excision of cartilage alone has been shown to be therapeutically and cosmetically effective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe and present our experience of a simplified and minimally invasive method of cartilage trimming for CN with sutureless skin closure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of all cases of CN seen in our department treated by this technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 34 patients treated over 12 years, 19 were men (mean age 61 years; range 47-83) and 15 were women (mean age 65 years; range 48-92). Right (n = 18) and left (n = 17) ears were almost equally represented. One patient required treatment for both ears. The antihelix was involved in seven cases; the remainder involved the helix. All patients were reviewed at 4 months. An excellent response with no discomfort or clinical recurrence of CN was observed in 32 (94%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our simplified technique of cartilage trimming and sutureless skin closure is a rapidly performed, minimally invasive and highly effective method of treating CN.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, Lancashire BL4 0JR, UK. dr_w_hussain@hotmail.com
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: R J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chalmers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000601:surgery*; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome