Narrow Elliptical Skin Excision and Cartilage Shaving for Treatment of Chondrodermatitis Nodularis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Surgical excision remains the hallmark of therapy for chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica (CNC). Although excision is generally successful, recurrence at the edge of the excised nodule is well recognized. OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical features and the recurrence rate of patients with CNC treated with elliptical excision of the papule and removal of the underlying cartilage. DESIGN Seventy-four outpatients with CNC, 52 men and 22 women, were retrospectively analyzed. A narrow elliptical excision of the papule followed by a slice of the underlying cartilage were carried out with local anesthetic. Cartilage spikes were trimmed carefully shaping a smooth contour from the normal helical rim to the defect. RESULTS Good cosmetic results were obtained in all patients. The median follow-up for helical and antihelical lesions were 54 and 50 months, respectively. The global recurrence rate was 13.5% and ranged from 10.6 to 37.5% for helical and antihelical lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We recommend this surgical procedure because it has been shown to be as efficient as other methods and probably faster to perform.