What Do We Know About Treating Recalcitrant Auricular Keloids? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Pathologic Scars Within a Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to review the spectrum of scarring that may present to an urban, pediatric otolaryngology practice and determine if associations exist between race, scar location, treatment modality, and outcomes following interventions for scarring.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study among 115 pediatric patients with 138 unique keloids or hypertrophic scars (HTS), and 141 children presenting for tonsillectomy at Tufts Medical Center. Age at presentation and sex assigned at birth were collected for both populations. For those presenting for pathologic scars, income quintile, self-identified race/ethnicity, anatomical location, treatment number and type, and clinical outcome were also analyzed. Multivariate analyses calculated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals to assess associations between scar subsite, intervention type, and persistence after treatment.

RESULTS

Compared to individuals presenting for tonsillectomy, a disproportionate percentage of patients presenting for scarring identified as Black (26.6% vs. 13.5%) or Asian (17.4% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.016) or were male (61.7% vs. 49.7%, p = 0.053). Individuals identifying as Black or Asian were more likely to present with ear lobe and neck scars, respectively (50.0% vs. 45.5%, p = <0.001). Ear scars were significantly more likely to receive excision at initial treatment (aOR = 5.86 [1.43-23.96]) compared to other subsites, and were more likely to require >1 treatment (aOR = 5.91 [1.53-22.75]).

CONCLUSION

Among pediatric patients presenting with keloids or HTS, children who identified as Black or Asian were more likely to present with ear and neck scars, respectively. Ear scars were frequently treated with excision and appear more likely to require adjuvant treatments and multiple interventions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:3127-3135, 2024.

Compression Therapy for Keloid Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Keloid scars have a multitude of treatments with varying success rates. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to study the different types of compression therapies used following surgical excision and their recurrence rates.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Reviews. The following keywords were used in the search: "keloid" and "compression." The following inclusion criteria were used: (1) identifying lesion must be a keloid and (2) use of any type of compression therapy for keloid scar.

Results

A total of 27 articles were included in the final analysis, grouped into three treatment modalities for comparison. The three treatment modalities are (1) surgical excision and compression earring, (2) surgical excision and silicone gel sheeting, and (3) surgical excision, compression earring, and silicone gel sheeting. Based on our analysis, combination treatment with compression earring device and silicone gel sheeting had the lowest recurrence rate when compared with compression earring device or silicone gel alone, but the difference in recurrence rates between the three treatment modalities was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

There were too few studies included in each treatment modality with even fewer sample sizes, and there is a need for a greater number of studies with increased sample size to evaluate which therapy is the most efficacious in preventing keloid recurrence following surgical excision.

Post-operative KEloids iRradiation (POKER): does the surgery/high-dose interventional radiotherapy association make a winning hand?

PURPOSE

To report the results involving post-operative interventional radiotherapy (POIRT) in a homogenous cohort of patients affected by keloid and treated at a single institution with the same fractionation schedule.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Inclusion criteria were: surgery with a histopathological diagnosis of keloid, subsequent high-dose rate interventional radiotherapy (HDR-IRT)-12 Gy in 4 fractions (3 Gy/fr) twice a day-and follow-up period ≥ 24 months.

RESULTS

One-hundred and two patients and a total of 135 keloids were eligible for the analyses. Median follow-up was 64 [IQR: 25-103] months. Thirty-six (26.7%) recurrences were observed, 12-months and 36-months cumulative incidence of recurrence were 20.7% (95% CI 12.2-28.5) and 23.8% (95% CI 14.9-31.7) respectively. History of spontaneous keloids (HR = 7.00, 95% CI 2.79-17.6, p < 0.001), spontaneous cheloid as keloid cause (HR = 6.97, 95% CI 2.05-23.7, p = 0.002) and sternal (HR = 10.6, 95% CI 3.08-36.8, p < 0.001), ear (HR = 6.03, 95% CI 1.71-21.3, p = 0.005) or limb (HR = 18.8, 95% CI 5.14-68.7, p < 0.001) keloid sites were significantly associated to a higher risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the use of surgery and POIRT as an effective strategy for controlling keloid relapses. Further studies should focus on determining the optimal Biologically Effective Dose and on establishing a scoring system for patient selection.

Triple Therapy Protocol for Primary and Secondary Auricular Keloids: A Prospective Outcome Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Ear keloid lesions present a significant challenge to the aesthetic surgeon. Keloids are known to recur and can cause severe cosmetic, functional, and psychological impairments. Several adjuvants to surgical removal have been promoted, with varying recurrence rates.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of triple therapy to treat secondary (and large primary) auricular keloids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with secondary or large primary auricular keloids undergoing triple therapy were prospectively studied. Keloids were excised intramarginally under magnification and repeated triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL injections were administered, followed by the application of a custom-made acrylate pressure device. Recurrent keloid formation and adverse events were monitored during a minimum of 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Sixteen auricular keloid lesions (3 large primary and 13 secondary) were subjected to the proposed technique with a mean follow-up of 28 months. All cases that adhered to the protocol were free of keloid after triple therapy. Side effects were limited to 1 case of lobular atrophy and slight hypopigmentation. All patients were satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSION

The triple therapy protocol is highly effective in primary and secondary auricular keloid as long as patients remain compliant.