Combination Therapy of Earlobe Keloids / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Keloids are proliferative growths of dermal collagen which extends beyond the original wound. Many modalities are available for treatment of keloids but there is no desirable modality to prevent the recurrence of keloids until now. The authors suggest that the combination therapy of surgical excision, steroid injection and compression therapy is an effective method for prevention of recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eleven patients who underwent surgical excision for earlobe keloids in the period from June of 2003 to July of 2005 were selected for clinical analysis. We injected steroid at the surgical margin after excision and compressed it by aluminum splint after skin closure. RESULTS: There were four men and seven women, ranging in age from 13 to 60 years (mean age, 29.2 years). The causes of keloids were earring in seven cases, trauma in two cases and middle ear surgery in two case. The keloids appeared at 1 to 17 years (mean, 3.9 years) after earring, trauma or middle ear surgery, and follow-up period ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 9.3 month). The sizes of keloids varied from 0.6x0.3x0.2 cm to 3.4x2.3x1.3 cm. Only one out of the 11 cases recurred and the remaining 10 cases had good results without recurrence. CONCLUSION: We believe that the combination therapy of surgical excision, steroid injection and compression by aluminum splint is a very effective therapy for treatment of earlobe keloids.