Marina Landau1. 1. Dermatology Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. mlandau@zahav.net.il
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deep chemical peels have been used in dermatology for more than a century. The main indications for this procedure include photoaging, perioral wrinkling, acne scars, and precancerous skin lesions. The most important potential complication of deep peels is cardiotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to estimate incidence of cardiac complications during full-face deep chemical peel and to suggest the methods to reduce the rate of this potential complication. METHODS: Clinical data on the patients being treated by full-face deep chemical peel between December 1, 2004, and November 30, 2005, were recorded. Full cardiomonitoring was performed during the peeling procedure. Any arrhythmia or medical intervention was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients have been treated during the study period. All the patients were female; the mean age was 56 years (range, 30-77 years). In 12 patients (6.6%), cardiac arrhythmia has been recorded during the procedure. Cardiac arrhythmia was more common in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and depression. In 4 patients the arrhythmia was self-limited and did not require any intervention. In the other 8 patients, 100 mg of lidocaine was given intravenously to control the arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cardiac complications in appropriately performed deep chemical peeling is lower than previously appreciated.
BACKGROUND: Deep chemical peels have been used in dermatology for more than a century. The main indications for this procedure include photoaging, perioral wrinkling, acne scars, and precancerous skin lesions. The most important potential complication of deep peels is cardiotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to estimate incidence of cardiac complications during full-face deep chemical peel and to suggest the methods to reduce the rate of this potential complication. METHODS: Clinical data on the patients being treated by full-face deep chemical peel between December 1, 2004, and November 30, 2005, were recorded. Full cardiomonitoring was performed during the peeling procedure. Any arrhythmia or medical intervention was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients have been treated during the study period. All the patients were female; the mean age was 56 years (range, 30-77 years). In 12 patients (6.6%), cardiac arrhythmia has been recorded during the procedure. Cardiac arrhythmia was more common in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and depression. In 4 patients the arrhythmia was self-limited and did not require any intervention. In the other 8 patients, 100 mg of lidocaine was given intravenously to control the arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cardiac complications in appropriately performed deep chemical peeling is lower than previously appreciated.