Five-blade scratcher for treating severe rhinophyma: A retrospective study

Figure 1 Surgical procedure. A: Dry cotton balls were used to plug the nostrils to prevent blood from flowing into them; B and C: Performing criss-cross scratching using a five-blade scratcher; D: The final wound surface resembled that of a strawberry; E: Ice saline coverage; F: Covering the wound with petrolatum gauze.

Figure 2 Evaluation of therapeutic effect. A: Changes in mean Global Flushing Severity Score (GFSS) scores before and after five-blade scratcher treatment; B: Changes in mean GFSS scores before and after five-blade scratcher treatment. GFSS and Clinician Erythema Assessment scores significantly decreased at 6 months and 5 years postoperatively. ^aP < 0.001, the difference was statistically significant. GFSS: Global Flushing Severity Score; CEA: Clinician Erythema Assessment.

Figure 3 Evaluation of Rhinophyma Severity Index and Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores. A: Changes in Rhinophyma Severity Index (RHISI) scores after five-blade scratcher treatment; B: Changes in Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores after five-blade scratcher treatment. The RHISI scores at 6 months and 5 years postoperatively were significantly lower than before. Concurrently, five-blade scratcher treatment can benefit patients, and the benefit is more obvious 5 years postoperatively. RHISI: Rhinophyma Severity Index; GBI: Glasgow Benefit Inventory.

Figure 4 A 63-year-old male patient with severe rhinophyma with a 15-year course. A: Preoperative photograph, taken on October 13, 2016; B: April 15, 2017, which is 6 months postoperatively; C: October 8, 2021, with a significant improvement observed.

Figure 5 A 33-year-old male patient with severe rhinophyma with a 10-year course. A: Preoperative photograph, taken on December 20, 2016, B: June 18, 2017, which is 6 months postoperatively; C: December 20, 2021, with a marked improvement postoperatively.

Figure 6 The level of inflammatory factors. The level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in serum from before and after surgery groups by ELISA. The difference was statistically significant. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.001.