Hyperplastische Narben und Keloide

Lasers and ancillary treatments for scar management Part 2: Keloid, hypertrophic, pigmented and acne scars

The formation of a wide range of excessive scars following various skin injuries is a natural consequence of healing. Scars resulting from surgery or trauma affect approximately 100 million people per annum in the developed world and can have profound physical, aesthetic, psychological and social consequences. Thus, scar treatment is a priority for patient and physician alike. Laser treatment plays an important role in scar management with additional support from ancillary modalities. Subsequent to part 1: Burns scars, part 2 focuses on our strategies and literature review of treatment of keloid, hypertrophic, pigmented and acne scars where lasers are used in conjunction with other measures, and illustrated with case studies.

Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: a useful guide

Keloids and hypertrophic scars occur anywhere from 30 to 90% of patients, and are characterized by pathologically excessive dermal fibrosis and aberrant wound healing. Both entities have different clinical and histochemical characteristics, and unfortunately still represent a great challenge for clinicians due to lack of efficacious treatments. Current advances in molecular biology and genetics reveal new preventive and therapeutical options which represent a hope to manage this highly prevalent, chronic and disabling problem, with long-term beneficial outcomes and improvement of quality of life. While we wait for these translational clinical products to be marketed, however, it is imperative to know the basics of the currently existing wide array of strategies to deal with excessive scars: from the classical corticotherapy, to the most recent botulinum toxin and lasers. The main aim of this review paper is to offer a useful up-to-date guideline to prevent and treat keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Influence of silicone gel on standardized postoperative scars

BACKGROUND

Silicone gel is one therapeutic approach in the treatment and prevention of excessive scarring. The likely mechanism of action is the hydration of the tissue. This should lead to reduced angiogenesis and capillary blood flow. The efficacy is still controversial and the evidence base, insufficient. The aim of this prospective and standardized study is to investigate silicone gel in the preventive treatment of scars.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Included in the study were 20 patients with costal cartilage harvest. Half of a standard chest scar was treated for three months with a silicone gel. The other half served as an internal control. After three months both scar sides were compared subjectively by visual analog scale and objectively by elasticity, moisture and color measurements.

RESULTS

Of 19 patients 8 had a better subjective result in the treated half. In one subject, no difference was seen. A worse subjective result in the treated half was seen in 10 out of 19. The objective measurements showed no significant difference. A correlation between the different results was not seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of silicone gel caused subjective differences within the same scar (worsening as well as improvement of the appearance). Positive effects were not detectable in the investigated parameters.

Postoperative electron beam radiotherapy for keloids: objective findings and patient satisfaction in self-assessment

AIM

To evaluate the role of postoperative radiotherapy in the management of keloids.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with a combined total of 60 keloids were treated with 6-MeV electron beam radiotherapy after surgical excision of the keloids. Mean daily fractions of 4 Gy (range, 3-5 Gy) were administered up to a total dose of 16 Gy (range, 12-18 Gy). The median follow-up was 70 months. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing their satisfaction with the treatment results. This self-assessment was compared with the clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Four keloids (7%) relapsed completely, and five recurrences (8%) were classified as limited relapses. All recurrences were observed at sites of high stretch-tension. Keloid-associated symptoms, e.g. itching and pain, were improved in 81%. Hypopigmentation was observed in 29 patients (62%), a mild redness of the scar in eight patients (17%), and grade 1 telangiectasias in two patients (4%). No severe complications or secondary malignancies were observed. Self-assessments did not fully correspond to the clinical examination and recurrence status. Twelve patients were not satisfied with the treatment result, but only two of these relapsed completely. Three relapsed patients described the result of therapy as excellent or good.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative electron radiotherapy is well tolerated and very effective in preventing keloid recurrence. To avoid an overestimation of cosmetic outcome, patients should be informed about achievable results before therapy starts.