Treatment of epidermal cysts with erbium: YAG laser fenestration: an alternative to surgical intervention.

Abstract

Epidermal cysts, also called epidermal inclusion cysts or epidermoid cysts, are firm, slowly growing benign tumors commonly seen in young or middle-aged adults. Surgical excision is the usual treatment for such lesions, with the inevitable sequelae of scarring, especially in the face, back, or sternal region. To evaluate the safety and feasibility of erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser fenestration of epidermal cysts for patients concerned about scarring, from January 2010 to July 2013, 25 patients with cosmetic concerns underwent serial laser treatment using the fenestration technique to decompress the cyst contents. Patient' satisfaction, scarring, and complications were assessed and analyzed. Twenty-three of the 25 patients obtained satisfactory cosmetic outcomes with rapid healing and minimal invasiveness. There was no evidence of scar formation, and no complications were observed at follow-up. Two patients received elective excision after reduction of the size of the cysts, and their scars were hidden well. Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser fenestration might be a promising alternative to the surgical treatment of epidermal cysts, especially when the lesions are large or located in an aesthetically important area.