The Effectiveness and Safety of Local Bichloroacetic Acid in the Treatment of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the most common type of xanthoma. Due to its delicate location near the eye, treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum is rather difficult. The treatment includes surgical excision, local treatment with chemicals, and various laser therapies. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to review the various therapeutic modalities and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bichloroacetic acid (BCA) for the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum. METHODS: Nine patients, with a total of 19 xanthelasma lesions, were treated with BCA. The efficacy and safety were assessed over a follow-up period of 6 to 24 months (average, 16 months). RESULTS: All lesions were grossly removed completely with a single treatment and the treatment was well-tolerated by patients. Erythema and oozing were observed in six patients but improved after two weeks' dressing. Xanthelasma palpebrarum recurred in three patients, but the mean size of the recurred lesions was smaller in comparison to the primary lesion. CONCLUSION: BCA is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for xanthelasma palpebrarum. Advantages include simplicity, cost-effectiveness, speed, safety and efficacy.

Clinical Application of BCA Focal Treatment for Various Skin Diseases: Surgical Gems II / 대한피부과학회지

Bichloroacetic acid(BCA), one of the chloroacetic acids, is an effective tissue cauterant when used in high concentration. In dermatologic surgery, BCA, in the form of 100% solution, has been used to treat xanthelasma, sebaceous hyperplasia, verrucae, hard and soft corn, seborrheic keratosis, ingrowing nail, cysts. The cauterization with BCA 100% solution can be used with a simpler technique than the surgical excision or electrical cauterization, without complicated appliance such as LASER generators, so the dermatologic surgical technique - BCA chemical cauterization, topical treatment - can be selected as a treatment of choice for many dermatologic conditions in outpatient offices. BCA destroys the barrier function of the epidermis and penetrates deeply through the papillary dermis and then creates the effect in the papillary dermis and reticular dermis. As a result, regeneration of new dermal collagens and a new epidermis occurs. This pharmacologic effect of BCA makes 100% solution of BCA to be used in the treatment of xanthelasma, pigmented nevi, acne scars with good clinical outcomes.