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Emre Vural, MD; Mark C. Royer, MD; Mimi S. Kokoska, MD

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009;11(4):263-266.

Background  Rhinophyma is a disfiguring disorder of the nasal skin characterized by hypervascularity, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, occluded sebaceous ducts, and dermal fibrosis. It has no known effective medical treatment; however, a myriad of surgical treatments have been reported. We report an effective, efficient, and safe approach to treat this disorder using the Shaw scalpel to surgically sculpt the nose.

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using the Shaw scalpel to treat rhinophyma.

Methods  We performed a retrospective review of 7 male patients (age range, 58-81 years) who underwent primary surgical treatment of rhinophyma with the Shaw scalpel.

Results  A good to excellent outcome was noted in all 7 patients. No perioperative complications occurred. Essentially no blood loss was noted during or after the procedures.

Conclusion  Use of the Shaw scalpel as the sole surgical instrument and method is a safe, efficient, and effective means to treat rhinophyma.

Author Affiliations: Departments of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock (Dr Vural), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (Dr Vural), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (Drs Royer and Kokoska), and Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis (Drs Royer and Kokoska).