[Palmar and plantar keloid in a black African male]

Time to removal of sutures from the palmar surface of the hand in dark-skinned patients: Results in a prospective cohort of 146 hands

The objective of this study was to estimate the time to removal of a suture from the palmar surface of a dark-skinned adult hand. A descriptive and analytical study included a cohort of 146 patients, 57% male, with a mean age of 37 ± 14 years, covering a period of 10 years. The mean time to removal of sutures on the palmar surface of the dark-skinned adult hands was 21 ± 2 days. Complete epithelialization of the suture path was the clinical indication for the ideal day for removal. After removal, closure was total in 90% of cases (132 hands) and partial in 9% (14 hands). The day of suture removal was significantly (p = 0.006) related to wound healing (complete closure). Eighty-five percent of patients without complete wound closure at suture removal had history of use of skin-lightening products. Tobacco use significantly lengthened time to suture removal (p < 0.001). There was a correlation between patient age and time to suture removal. On multivariate analysis, three factors were predictive of suture removal later than day 21: being a manual worker (44% of patients) (p 0.006), suture location in a palmar fold area (<0.001) and the age of patient, the 41-50 years (p = 0.001) and >50 years (p < 0.001).

Plantar keloids: diagnostic and therapeutic issues in six patients

BACKGROUND

Keloids are benign fibro-proliferative skin lesions that very rarely occur on the soles. Because of their rarity, the diagnosis of plantar keloids can be difficult. We describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of eight plantar keloids.

METHODS

All patients presenting with plantar keloids between 2005 and 2012 in our Dermatology unit were retrospectively included. Diagnosis was definitely established by re-reading of pathological slides in all cases. Clinical characteristics, histopathological features, treatments given and their results were collected.

RESULTS

Six patients were included. Five patients had a single plantar keloid and one had three lesions. They all were of African descent. Only one patient remembered of a previous injury at the site of the keloid. Three patients presented with associated extra-plantar keloids. In four patients, the diagnosis of keloid was not initially suspected clinically or histologically. Re-reading of the clinical photographs showed that the eight plantar keloids shared common morphological features, leading to a distinctive clinical picture, defined by a hardened lesion of rounded or polycyclic shape, with a pink surface crossed by keratotic furrows and the presence of a hyperkeratotic rim. Concerning pathological features, typical hyalinized collagen can be missing and deep fibrosis should not rule out the diagnosis of keloid. Intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide and orthopaedic shoes were useful. All patients who had surgical excision presented recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge of the clinical features of plantar keloids is helpful to the diagnosis. There is no well-established treatment, but supportive measures are important.