Comparison of the surgical outcomes of punch incision and elliptical excision in treating epidermal inclusion cysts: a prospective, randomized study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Punch incision has been introduced as an alternative method to surgical excision for troublesome epidermal inclusion cysts. To date, there is no randomized study directly comparing the long-term results of these two methods. OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes of these two procedures and to identify the characteristics of a lesion most suitable for the punch incision technique. METHODS: In a 16-month period, 60 patients with noninfected epidermal inclusion cysts were randomly treated with either punch incision or elliptical excision. Demographic data, size, and location of lesion, length of wound, operative time, complications, recurrence, and patient satisfaction were compared statistically. RESULTS: The mean lengths of the wounds in the punch incision and elliptical excision groups were 0.73 and 2.34 cm, respectively (p<.001). Mean operative time was significantly shorter in the punch group (12.7 minutes) as compared with the surgical group (21.6 minutes) (p<.001). No complication occurred in the punch incision group. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Punch incision produces a superior cosmetic result while keeping a low recurrence rate of cysts. Epidermal inclusion cysts measuring 1 to 2 cm that are located on the face or in an area of cosmetic concern are best treated with punch incision.