Background: Auricular keloids are difficult to treat, and recurrent keloids are more aggressive and more likely to develop aural deformities. Surgical excision, injections, or radiotherapy alone have high recurrence rates. An algorithmic approach of auricular keloid remains to be explored.
Aims: To investigate the sequential treatment protocol for the treatment of auricle keloids to maintain auricle morphology and reduce the postoperative recurrence rate.
Patients/methods: A retrospective analysis of 42 patients who attended the scar minimally invasive treatment center of the Hospital of Plastic Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for serial treatment from January 2019 to June 2021. According to the size and involvement of the keloid, the core excision of the scar was excised under the condition of ensuring the priority of the auricular contour, and the scar flap was repaired to reconstruct the auricular appearance, and electron beam treatment was performed within 24 h after the operation, ray energy: 6-7 MeV, dose: Dt18Gy/2f; regular trimethoprim combined with 5-Fu injection treatment and the application of silicone ear clips for local compression treatment were performed 1 month after the operation.
Results: Thirty-five patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months after surgery, and three of them showed a tendency of recurrence, and early local treatment with trimethoprim and 5-Fu injection achieved favorable results.
Conclusion: A standardized and sequential treatment plan for keloids with different morphology and anatomical locations can achieve remodeling of the auricular morphology and maintain long-term results.
Keywords: auricle keloid; injection therapy; operation; radiation therapy.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.