The vein hook successfully used for eradication of steatocystoma multiplex

BACKGROUND: Steatocystoma multiplex is characterized by the formation of the numerous cutaneous cysts in the exposed area leaving some cosmetic problems for the patients. Only surgical excision has been effective, and its several variations were done with limited success. Because the patients usually have many cysts, excision of cysts was tedious for the doctors and left scars on the patients. METHOD: Five patients agreeing to participate in this experiments were selected. The vein hook used for ambulatory phlebectomy was employed to eradicate the cysts. The skin was incised approximately 2 to 3 mm in length. Then the mosquito forceps removed the cysts by gently squeezing or hooking the inner or outer cyst wall. By completely removing tissue around the cyst, recurrence was able to be prevented. RESULT: It took approximately 1 minute to excise one cyst completely, it left no hypertrophic scars except for transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it had no recurrences for 14 to 30 months on five patients. CONCLUSION: The use of this instrument is very simple and time-saving, providing excellent success rate with favorable cosmetic results. It can be a good alternative for eradication of the cysts in steatocystma multiplex.