Excision of rhinophyma with high-frequency electrosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Rhinophyma is an uncommon progressive disfiguring process of the lower nasal region that most commonly affects middle-aged white men. It is characterized by painless hyperplasia of the sebaceous and subcutaneous tissues, in the end stage, resulting in a bulbous nodular telangiectatic nose. Surgical modalities of treatment include electrosurgery, laser ablation, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, scalpel excision, and others. OBJECTIVE: We present two patients with rhinophyma who were treated with the Ellman Surgitron using high-frequency current. METHODS: Two patients with significant rhinophyma and associated subcutaneous abscesses underwent excision with the Ellman Surgitron using high-frequency electrosurgery with a wire loop. The sebaceous hypertrophy was shaved down to the level of the normal skin surface. RESULTS: This technique provided a quick, efficient, bloodless operative field with a good cosmetic result and pain-free postoperative recovery. Photographs were taken at regular intervals to document the healing process. CONCLUSION: The Ellman Surgitron uses high-frequency current to achieve a bloodless field in the treatment of rhinophyma. This enabled efficient and quick removal of hypertrophied tissue with a good cosmetic result and an essentially pain-free recovery. This radiofrequency device is well suited for the outpatient setting and offers advantages over the other modalities used to treat rhinophyma.