How do you treat a cyst on your jaw?

This young lady presented with a 5-year history of a mobile subcutaneous mass along her mid-right mandible.⁣⁣⁣⁣

She opted to have her cyst removed because it was enlarging and more noticeable. She also found good timing given most are wearing masks during the current pandemic.⁣⁣⁣⁣

When evaluating the subcutaneous masses, we do a careful head and neck examination of the patient to rule out a possible cutaneous malignancy. This includes a careful history as well as a lymph node evaluation and intra-oral evaluation. She denied any trauma to this area or any drainage.⁣⁣⁣⁣

After careful evaluation, the area is numbed with local anesthesia, and then the cyst removed with sharp dissection followed by a layered closure to ensure a fine, hidden scar.

Sebaceous cysts may develop as a result of trauma or blocked glands in the skin and rarely cause pain or other symptoms. They’re most commonly found on the face, neck, and trunk. ⁣

Many patient prefer the removal of any lesions or cysts on the face to be performed by a plastic surgeon to ensure optimal scar healing and placement along with aesthetic units.⁣

This is the defect after the entire cyst including sack and contents are removed.

Important structures in this area are the facial artery and vein and marginal mandibular nerve. ⁣

These structures were abutting the cyst but knowledge of anatomy helps us dissect them away without damaging them. ⁣

The defect was cleaned with betadine and peroxide and saline prior to layered closure for a nice fine scar.⁣⁣