Keloids Treated with a Suction-Assisted Cartilage Shaver: A Report of Four Cases / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Surgical excision of keloids is generally not accepted as a first treatment option, but many reports have described specialized surgical methods, such as intralesional and intramarginal excision. This operation preserves the active peripheral portion of the keloid and excises the central bulky lesion. The suprakeloidal flap technique and keloid core excision involve intralesional excision. These methods are known to be associated with a low probability of recurrence or lesion exacerbation because the remaining keloidal lesion acts as a barrier. However, several complications, such as partial necrosis and flap congestion, have been reported, especially in large lesions. We describe cases of four patients with keloids on the chest or abdomen. All patients complained of pain or itching due to the keloids. Patient age ranged from 20 years to 54 years, and the number of lesions ranged from one to seven. The largest lesion measured 10x8 cm. We treated the lesions by the dermal shaving method using a suction-assisted cartilage shaver, and the lesions were markedly flattened in all cases. Because this surgery is performed through an incision for a cannula, it allows more rapid healing and causes less postoperative pain with fewer severe complications. It also has the advantage of requiring less effort and time due to the use of motorized curettage with suction. The suction-assisted cartilage shaver using dermal shaving method seems to be an effective alternative treatment modality for reducing the lesional size of keloids.