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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the risks involved in a Bilateral zanthelesmata surgery?

    Related Topic
    Cosmetic Medicine
    I Have significant Xantholmas above and below my eyes, I am due to have the removed.

    I have asked for information on the procedure and any risk involved and have been either stone walled or given limited information from my surgeon office. I have searched online and I only find information on laser removal, and I am having them removed by having them cut out.

    Please can some advise of what are the risk of the procedure, and explain the procedure to me. I was trying to find a video about my procedure and cannot find any .

    Before I have someone cut up my body I would like to be correctly informed as to the risks involved.

    Thanks

    K,
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  • Mr Stephen Salerno

    Plastic Surgeon

    Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery Hand Surgery Skin cancer and melanoma surgery Breast Surgery View Profile

    Hello and thanks for your question.

    Xanthelasma are fatty deposits around dthe eyelids and they are relatively benign except for their looks. It is a relativley safe procedure to have done just under some local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting.

    Sme complications are obviously the scarring that the procedure can leave.  It can also cause some ectropion or entropion if the too much of the skin is removed as this can pull the eyelid down and also invert of roll the eyelid in.  This can usually occur on the lower eyelid.  IN terms of the upper eyelid if too much skin is removed then this can prevent the eyelids from closing fully and leave then a little open at the end of the procedure.

    I would ensure that you have a plastic surgeon do your procedure or an opthalomogist.  These surgeons often perform many of these types of procedures on the upper and lower eyelids and are well versed with these procedures and possible complications that can occur.

    Regards
    Stephen Salerno

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    Thanks

    Dr John Mahony

    Cosmetic Physician

    Dr John Mahony studied Medicine at Sydney University 1980-1984 graduating early 1985. Internship and residency years followed in the Illawarra, covering general medical and surgical … View Profile

    Further to Stephen's excellent post, I would add that you should determine whether a high blood cholesterol level has contributed to you forming xanthelasma in your own case, and, if so, you should ensure this is treated in an effort not only to improve your general health and reduce your risk of heart disease but also hopefully reduce risk of recurrence of the xanthelasma.

    You read right: it is possible that you could have these xanthelasmae removed only to find them recurring at a later time:

    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1213423-followup#a2650

    This article quotes a recurrence rate of up to 40%

    So: keep reading

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