Intralesional excision of keloids

Are auricular keloids and persistent hypertrophic scars resectable? The role of intrascar excision

BACKGROUND

Intrascar excision with debulking procedure is a good choice for scar revision in unique 3-dimensional facial aesthetic units, especially in the auricular area. It can remove or reduce scars in a shorter course without distortion of the surrounding anatomic structures and visible operative scars. This retrospective study was done to present intrascar excision procedures in persistent auricular hypertrophic scars or keloids.

METHODS

Between 1997 and 2010, 18 ears in 13 patient cases with persistent hypertrophic scars and/or keloids in their external ear due to burns or trauma were collected for evaluation. There were 10 males and 3 females. The age distributions ranged from 5 to 49 years with an average of 20.1 years. All received intrascar excision with debulking procedure for their ear deformity. One case combined with YV-plasty procedure to obtain better aesthetic result. The follow-up period ranged from 0.3 to 14 years with an average of 3.6 years.

RESULTS

There was no recurrence in a series of average 3.6 years follow-up. Of the 13 patients, 11 (84.6%) objectively presented good and satisfactory surgical outcomes and the other 2 patients were acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

The intrascar excision in auricular persistent scars or keloids has the following advantages: it (1) achieves primary closure, (2) does not distort the anatomic landmarks, (3) does not sacrifice the important structures, (4) has a debulking effect, (5) can be done anytime, even if scars are not mature, (6) has good cosmetic results, (7) may combine with Z- or VY-plasty for functional improvement, and (8) has minimal complications.

Cell permeant peptide analogues of the small heat shock protein, HSP20, reduce TGF-beta1-induced CTGF expression in keloid fibroblasts

A growing body of evidence suggests the involvement of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the development and maintenance of fibrosis and excessive scarring. As the expression of this protein requires an intact actin cytoskeleton, disruption of the cytoskeleton represents an attractive strategy to decrease CTGF expression and, consequently, excessive scarring. The small heat-shock-related protein (HSP20), when phosphorylated by cyclic nucleotide signaling cascades, displaces phospho-cofilin from the 14-3-3 scaffolding protein leading to activation of cofilin as an actin-depolymerizing protein. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of AZX100, a phosphopeptide analogue of HSP20, on transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta1)-induced CTGF and collagen expression in human keloid fibroblasts. We also examined the effect of AZX100 on scar formation in vivo in dermal wounds in a Siberian hamster model. AZX100 decreased the expression of CTGF and type I collagen induced by TGF-beta1, endothelin, and lysophosphatidic acid. Treatment with AZX100 decreased stress fiber formation and altered the morphology of human dermal keloid fibroblasts. In vivo, AZX100 significantly improved collagen organization in a Siberian hamster scarring model. Taken together, these results suggest the potential use of AZX100 as a strategy to prevent excessive scarring and fibrotic disorders.