SAFE MANAGEMENT OF DERMOLIPOMAS

Most reports on dermolipomas describe the serious complications arisin g from their removal. The aim of this article was to describe a safe a nd effective method of removing dermolipomas. Forty-five consecutive e ligible patients underwent surgical removal of their dermolipomas over a 20-year period. Of the two complications, only one, a restrictive s ymblepharon, required further surgery. The techniques for excising sim ple dermolipomas and dermolipomas associated with a deformity of the l ateral canthal angle are described. Safe removal of dermolipomas may b e accomplished with minimal resection of the conjunctiva, including th e pilosebaceous area, identification of contiguous structure, and remo val of only that portion of the dermolipoma anterior to the lateral or bital rim.