Endoscopic Excision of Forehead Masses

ABSTRACT

Conventional direct surgical excision has been the most reliable method in the treatment of the benign tumor in the face but it inevitably leaves visible scar. Although studies of endoscopy-assisted excision in forehead and lateral brow masses representing a diverse group of lesions including lipoma, dermoid cyst and osteoma have been reported, the number of patients was limited. We treated 33 cases of various benign forehead masses with endoscopy-aided surgery from April, 1999 to July, 2004, and the age of the patients ranged from 5 to 54 years. Two slit incisions less than 1.5cm were placed behind the anterior hairline and tumor was excised after the subperiosteal pocket dissection. All masses were completely excised and pathologists confirmed that 19 cases were lipomas, 8 were dermoid cysts and 6 were osteomas. The size of the masses varied from 0.9x0.8cm to 5.0x4.0 cm. Complications such as tumor recurrence, scalp numbness and frontalis paralysis did not occur. There was no contour irregularity found in our series. Incision scars were hidden well posterior to the hairline, so patients were satisfied with the final results. After many experiences, we concluded that endoscopic excision is a simple and undoubtedly safe method, and provides excellent cosmesis in treating not only lipoma but also dermoid cyst and osteoma. It is an effective method for complete excision of various types of tumors in the forehead and brow.