Large Rhinophyma Treated by Surgical Excision and Electrocautery

Hypertrophic Scar Following Excisional Surgery and Full-Thickness Skin Grafting Due to Rhinophyma Treated with 1064 nm Q-Switched Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser

Rhinophyma is characterized by progressive enlargement of the nasal skin, which is considered to be an advanced stage of phymatous rosacea. Esthetic disfigurement makes surgical treatment necessary for this condition. Hypertrophic scars are the consequence of alterations in the skin’s healing process following surgical interventions. Laser may be the treatment of choice in hypertrophic scars. We reported a case of hypertrophic scars following excisional surgery and full-thickness skin grafting due to rhinophyma in an 18-year-old male who was consulted from the Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction. The 1064 nanometer (nm) Q-switched Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (QS Nd:YAG) with 4 mm spot size, 1.5 J/cm2 and 1 Hz was applied to the hypertrophic scars for three sessions within one month interval. Clinical improvement was observed as indicated by the patient’s Vancouver scar scale score and spectrophotometry result, and no side effects were found. Nd:YAG laser is a non-ablative device that targets hemoglobin, water, and melanin. Any thermal effects on dermal tissue containing blood vessels could result in reduced blood flow through the capillaries in the dermal papillae. QS Nd:YAG-induced selective photothermolysis was responsible for collagen breakdown and reduced collagen production in hypertrophic scars. The 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser gave good results in this case although more treatment sessions may be recommended and a longer follow-up is necessary in order to assess the stability of the result.

A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques for Management of Severe Rhinophyma

Study Design

Systematic review of the literature.

Objective

The goal of this study is to review the current literature on severe rhinophyma requiring operative management for significant cosmetic deformity or nasal obstruction. We aim to provide a treatment algorithm for the various surgical techniques employed in the treatment of severe rhinophyma.

Methods

Independent searches of the PubMed and MEDLINE databases were performed. Articles from the period of 2010 to 2020 were collected. All studies which described surgical treatment of severe rhinophyma using the Boolean method and relevant search term combinations, including "rhinophyma," "severe," "operative" and "surgery" were collected.

Results

A total of 111 relevant unique articles met criteria for eligibility analysis. Of these, 85 articles were deemed inappropriate for the literature review due to exclusion criteria. The remaining 26 articles were included in the literature review. Due to variability in study design and outcome measures, formal synthesis of data in the form of a meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusions

Severe rhinophyma may present a reconstructive challenge to reestablish normal contour and patent nasal airway. Significant deformity necessitates surgical correction. The present article reviews the current literature and provides a summary and stepwise explanation of established surgical techniques for addressing the cosmetic and functional deficits these patients encounter.

Management of severe rhinophyma with electrocautery dermabrasion - A case report

INTRODUCTION

Rhinophyma is benign hypertrophic thickening of the skin and edema of the nasal pyramid. The affected tissue enlarges slowly before reaching its permanent size. The lobulated skin surface with hundreds of pores can become cosmetically embarrassing and cause significant psychosocial stress, anxiety, and depression for patients. In addition, extensive alar thickening can obstruct the external nasal valves making treatment necessary to alleviate respiratory issues. No consensus has been reached regarding management of rhinophyma and many surgeons follow the "to each his own technique" mindset. Our objective was to present a case report to support the use of electrocautery and dermabrasion as the mainstay of treatment.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Here we describe the case of a 62-year-old Caucasian male with a long-standing history of acne rosacea who developed severe rhinophyma overtime which lead to nasal obstruction and major cosmetic deformity. Electrocautery and dermabrasion in the operating room were utilized to obtain an outstanding cosmetic result and respiratory function improvement. Loop and Colorado cautery tips were used with cutting current to remove the hypertrophic skin and create a smooth contour. The patient tolerated the procedure well without any complications. The patient's skin was scab-free with normal pigmentation by four weeks post-op. He was satisfied with the cosmetic outcome and reported substantial improvement in his breathing.

DISCUSSION

There have been several case reports published which describe using different surgical methods to treat rhinophyma including lasers, electrocautery dermabrasion, surgical blade, cryosurgery, and radio excision. The main limitations of laser therapy are imprecise tissue removal, risk of scarring, dyspigmentation, and bleeding. Other therapies such as surgical excision and skin grafts may require multiple procedures before obtaining a satisfactory cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSION

This case report supports electrocautery dermabrasion as the mainstay of treatment as it is a management technique which allows for smooth contouring, efficient hemostasis, more control in the operating room, and does not require multiple procedures.