[Surgical treatment of diffuse scrotal epidermal cysts: case report]

Epidermal cysts are common, benign skin tumors that are found mainly on the face, neck, and trunk. This case was a 53-year-old male bus driver who had suffered from multiple papules on his scrotum for 7 years. This affliction had caused intractable itching and responded poorly to medical treatment. The patient received an excision of these papules (total 32) 3 years ago. According to the pathological reports, these papules were epidermal cysts; unfortunately, these papules recurred within 3 months after the operation and then resulted in itching more severe than before. The patient was again admitted to the hospital ward and received an operation in Oct. 1990. The diseased tissue (14cm x 8cm) was then excised and the defective scrotal skin was covered with a meshed, split-thickness skin graft. The cosmetic result was enhanced by the rugate appearance of the healed meshed graft. The patient was satisfied with both the functional and cosmetic results. The itching sensation on the scrotum improved and there was no recurrence of epidermal cysts within the graft area during the 9 month follow-up period. With this simple and safe operation, the result gave a satisfying improvement in both symptoms and appearance; so this case is offered for reference.