Electrocoagulation with Intravenous Catheter in the Treatment of Venous Lakes

  • Miguel Pinto Gouveia Interno do Internato Complementar de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Resident, Dermatology and Venereology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
  • Ana Isabel Gouveia Interna do Internato Complementar de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Resident, Dermatology and Venereology, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Portugal
  • Ana Brinca Assistente Hospitalar de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Unidade de Cirurgia Dermatológica/Consultant of Dermatology and Venereology, Dermatologic Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
  • Ricardo Vieira Professor Auxiliar em Dermatologia e Venereologia, Chefe da Unidade de Cirurgia Dermatológica/Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Head of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
  • Américo Figueiredo Professor Doutor em Dermatologia e Venereologia, Director do Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra/ Professor of Dermatology and Venereology and Head of Dermatology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.74.1.522
Keywords: Catheterization, Peripheral, Electrocoagulation, Electrosurgery, Skin Diseases, Vascular

Abstract

Venous lakes comprise vascular ectasias of the upper dermis, usually seen in the lips of older patients. Treatment can be sought for cosmetic or functional reasons and therapeutic options include laser ablation, cryotherapy or surgery. Electrosurgery is a frequent and efficacious method in the resolution of venous lakes, although possibly damaging to the adjacent skin. In order to minimize skin damage, an intravenous catheter can be used to deliver electrocoagulation intralesionally from an electroscalpel, being described as an improvement of the classic procedure. The authors describe this modified electrosurgical technique as a safe, simple and readily-accessible therapeutic option in the treatment of venous lakes.

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Published
2016-04-29
How to Cite
Pinto Gouveia, M., Gouveia, A. I., Brinca, A., Vieira, R., & Figueiredo, A. (2016). Electrocoagulation with Intravenous Catheter in the Treatment of Venous Lakes. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 74(1), 89-91. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.74.1.522
Issue
Vol 74 No 1 (2016): Janeiro - Março
Section
Case Reports

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