The ABCs of Rhinophyma Management

Abstract

Background Rhinophyma is a benign inflammatory growth of the nose. It usually involves the caudal one-third of the nose in men. It not only affects the patient's appearance, but also can have profound functional implications. Many difficult treatment methods have been advocated, often with acceptable success. Because there appears to be no distinct advantages in the different therapeutic modalities, no one modality is universally endorsed. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients from 1990–2001 who underwent treatment of their rhinophyma at Louisiana State University, Health Science Center and Overton Brooks Veteran's Hospital in Shreveport, LA. The tumescent anesthesia, Weck blade excision and argon beam coagulator technique (TWA) was used on 51 patients. Results Patients undergoing this technique have operating times no greater than ten minutes. The average blood loss was less than 5cc. No surgical complications were noted. Conclusion The TWA technique yields good cosmetic results and is cost-effective.