Electrosurgical Standing Cutaneous Cone Modification

BACKGROUND: Tissue redundancy manifesting as a standing cutaneous cone is a common surgical problem. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of electrosurgery to modify standing cutaneous cones. METHODS: Electrical current is applied via an electrosurgical needle to deep dermis and subcutaneous fat. The superficial dermis and epidermis are left undisturbed. In properly selected standing cones, correction of the standing cone is achieved without scar lengthening. RESULTS: Use of the technique can provide standing cone correction without lengthening the surgical scar. There has been no increase in wound failure or infection with the described technique. CONCLUSION: Electrosurgical modification complements existing surgical techniques for standing cutaneous cone repair.