Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;8(1):28-31
Introduction: Rhinophyma is the final stage of rosacea. It leads to the stigmatization of the patient.
Objective: To establish the safety and efficacy of dermachemabrasion in the treatment of rhinophyma.
Methods: The method, which consists of tangential excision and dermabrasion with sandpaper followed by 30% trichloroacetic acid on the previously sanded area, was prospectively applied in 7 patients. The excised material was histologically studied aiming at detecting hidden neoplasias. Safety and efficacy were evaluated clinically and through standardized photographic records.
Results: The patients' ages ranged from 57 to 68 years (6 men, 1 woman). The complete reepithelialization occurred within 7 to 14 days. The 7 patients progressed without infection, with satisfactory reepithelialization and results from the aesthetic point of view, with absence of dyschromias or scarring. The histological analysis revealed the presence of a hidden neoplasia (superficial basal cell carcinoma) in one case.
Conclusion: Dermachemabrasion is a low cost, simple to execute and effective treatment that leads to excellent cosmetic results in addition to having the advantage of the possibility of histological analysis, which is extremely important, since there are reports of hidden malignancy in rhinophyma.
Keywords: RHINOPHYMA; TREATMENT OUTCOME; DERMABRASION; TRICHLOROACETIC ACID