Xanthelasma palpebrarum

Abstract

The management of xanthelasma can be challenging, as evidenced by our own experiences as well as that of other physicians. Appreciating the difficulties is important, so as to inform the patient of the risks of recurrences after surgical excision and to plan the surgical procedure to prevent ocular complications such as ectropion. The patient with xanthelasma who desires a blepharoplasty is an especially interesting topic. A conservative approach, at times using staged excisions, as discussed in this article, will help achieve the desired result and assure patient satisfaction.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum: Treatment with the erbium:YAG laser

“…Methods for their removal should have only minimal side effects. Surgical excision is often followed by slight scarring, no matter if wound closure is achieved through primary closure, full thickness skin grafting [25,26], or granulation [6]. Postoperative healing not infrequently may be further complicated by infections and poor wound healing, as well as ectropion.…”

Erbium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser Treatment for Xanthelasma Palpebrarum

“…Moreover, xanthelasma may indicate underlying systemic disease, and when accompanied by hyperlipidemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, liver cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, or nephrotic syndrome, systemic care is needed, with medication, to lower hyperlipidemia. [1][2][3] Xanthelasmas do not resolve spontaneously. Over time, they gain color and become thicker and larger.…”

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum Treatment with a 1,450-nm-Diode Laser

“…This method often results in slight scarring 2 . The possibilities of surgical resection appear to be more limited in the lower eyelid, because the limited skin laxity greatly increases the risk of ectropion 21 …”