Dear realself, I have an osteoma near my left temple (please see photo). It feels a little uncomfortable, like a push/force in the area. I would prefer local anesthesia, if possible. In-office procedure, if possible. Are there any insurances that tend to be good about covering this procedure? Also, do you have any recommendations around Indiana? Thank you.
Answer
I have developed a simple procedure that allows the removal of forehead osteomas under local anesthesia. I make a small incision behind the hairline then use a rhinoplasty rasp ( same as a file) to remove it by feel. It takes about 15 minutes. Some surgeons use an endoscope and a drill to do this. My approach is simpler allowing a much lesser expense which is important because most insurance companies consider it cosmetic and don’t cover it. As far as I know I’m the only surgeon who dies Osteoma removal this way so I have named it the Edelson Procedure
Dr. Ronald J. Edelson, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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A procedure like this is performed in an operating room. Yes local anesthesia is possible, but IV sedation will make it safer and more comfortable. General anesthesia is usually not needed. This would need to be preapproved with your insurance company. I am interested to know what an "informal surgery center" is. I have never heard of that and have no idea why someone would want to have an operation in a place known as an "informal surgery center". Google that and let me know if anyone else uses that term. The doctor who stated that, doesn't even refer to his own surgery center with that term.
Dr. Kevin Ende, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Removal of frontal forehead osteoma. I use the Irregular Trichophytic Forehead Incision which I invented 46 years ago to remove this without leaving a noticeable scar! I have used this approach for TG patients, aging patients as well as osteomas on more than a thousand patients. Make sure you see a very experienced surgeon who can show you photos of the scar with the hair pulled back
Dr. Toby Mayer, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
In our practice, osteoma removal is performed in informal surgery center under general anesthesia as outpatient procedure. To remove this growth will require a hammer and chisel to break it away from normal frontal bone. This is billed to medical insurance
Dr. William Portuese, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
