Sculpting resection of rhinophyma using the Shaw scalpel.
BACKGROUND
Rhinophyma is a disfiguring disorder of the nasal skin characterized by hypervascularity, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, occluded sebaceous ducts, and dermal fibrosis. It has no known effective medical treatment; however, a myriad of surgical treatments have been reported. We report an effective, efficient, and safe approach to treat this disorder using the Shaw scalpel to surgically sculpt the nose.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using the Shaw scalpel to treat rhinophyma.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of 7 male patients (age range, 58-81 years) who underwent primary surgical treatment of rhinophyma with the Shaw scalpel.


RESULTS
A good to excellent outcome was noted in all 7 patients. No perioperative complications occurred. Essentially no blood loss was noted during or after the procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the Shaw scalpel as the sole surgical instrument and method is a safe, efficient, and effective means to treat rhinophyma.
Vural
Emre
E
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, USA.
Royer
Mark C
MC
Kokoska
Mimi S
MS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004954:Esthetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012224:Rhinophyma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome