Comparison of Excision Versus Punch Incision in the Treatment of Epidermal Cysts

The purpose of this trial is to compare two standard of care treatments for removing epidermal cysts. Surgical excision removes the entire cyst but requires a larger hole in the skin. A punch incision makes a smaller hole through which the cyst can be removed. The trial's purpose is to determine if one method is better than another in terms of recurrence, infection, or other side effects.

Patients with epidermal cysts will be randomized to having the cyst removed by surgical excision or by a smaller punch incision followed by removal of the cyst through the smaller hole. The skin will be stitched shut in both cases. A short survey about how the cyst affects the patient will be given before the cyst is removed. When the stitches are removed 2 weeks later, photographs will be taken and a survey regarding satisfaction with the procedure will be given. Two additional phone surveys, given at 4 and 12 months after the procedure, wil be given to ask about recurrence, satisfaction with the procedure, side effects, and how the cyst affected the patient's life. The study doctor will be blinded as to which procedure each subject underwent. Forty subjects will be recruited at the Atlanta Veteran's Administration Medical Center

Inclusion criteria

• Adult 18 years or older
• Epidermal cyst 1-3 cm in diameter on the trunk

Exclusion criteria

• Infected cyst requiring systemic antibiotics
• Pregnant females
• Unable to return to clinic for suture removal
• Previous excision of target cyst