A new method for facial epidermoid cyst removal with minimal incision.

BACKGROUND: Facial epidermoid cyst is a common benign epithelial tumour frequently seen in young or middle-aged people and may cause aesthetic disability. Surgical excision is the most frequently used method but may result in obvious scar.

OBJECTIVE: To improve cosmetic result of removing facial epidermoid cyst through minimal incision surgery.

METHODS: Twenty-two cases of facial epidermoid cysts ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 cm in diameter were treated. The skin above the epidermoid cysts was infiltrated with local 0.1-cc 1% xylocaine anaesthetic by using a 26-gauge needle first, then 3-mm incisions were made with a No.11 surgical blade. The cystic contents and its capsule were then squeezed out through the small incision and the underlying connective tissue was chemically cauterized by 20% trichloroacetic acid. The incision wounds were left unsutured.

RESULT: Minimal incision method successfully treated 16 out of the 22 epidermoid cyst cases that ranged from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter. And only one out of six was successfully treated for diameters greater than 1.1 cm.

CONCLUSION: The proposed method can minimize the scar when treating facial epidermal inclusion cysts that are less than 1 cm and obtained better cosmetic results.