Combination of different techniques for the treatment of earlobe keloids

Management of keloids is still controversial. Many different treatment modalities may be used for this purpose, however, no one method has been found completely successful. Therefore, we combined these techniques to improve therapeutic outcomes for earlobe keloids. Nine patients with earlobe keloids of a total number of 12 with auricular keloids were treated with a combined approach between 1995 and 2001. The keloids varied in size 2 × 1 to 5 × 3 cm and the patient age ranged 15–63 years. The patient group consisted of nine females, three males. Ear piercing was the main etiological factor for females. In the first session, surgical excision of the keloids was performed. It was followed with triamcinolone acetonide injection to the surgical field on the postoperative second week. Slight pressure was applied by silicone gel sheet coated earring for four months. No recurrence was noted in eight patients over longterm followup. One of nine patients had keloid recurrence. The authors found the results promising a combination of four techniques for treatment of ear lobe keloids is recommended even for recurrent lesions.     

Successful treatment of earlobe keloids in the pediatric population

Background

Keloid scars present a difficult treatment challenge. Recently, intralesional steroid injection has become a common treatment modality [Akoz et al. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2002;6:184-188; Studdiford et al. JABFM. 2008;21:149-152]. Although this has become a proven treatment technique, there is no standard injection protocol to which treating physicians commonly adhere. We hypothesize that timing of steroid injection may improve outcomes using this treatment technique in combination with lesion excision.

Methods

Fifteen patients with 16 earlobe keloids were treated using a standard steroid injection protocol with Kenalog (Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York, NY), in combination with lesion excision. Strict follow-up was enforced, with repeat injections as needed at any sign of abnormal scar formation postoperatively.

Results

Of 16 lesions, 15 (94%) were treated successfully with no sign of lesion recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. A single lesion was lost to follow-up and presented 18 months postoperatively with recurrence. This lesion was subsequently retreated successfully.

Conclusions

Kenalog injection in combination with excision is a well-tolerated and effective treatment of earlobe keloids in the pediatric population. We feel that timing of injection and adherence to a strict follow-up regimen is crucial to success.     

The treatment of earlobe keloids by surgical excision and postoperative triamcinolone injection

Thirty-one earlobe keloids in 20 patients were treated by complete surgical excision and three postoperative injections of .1 to .2 ml of 40 mg per milliliter of triamcinolone solution at four-week intervals beginning three weeks postoperation. Only 1 recurrence developed in a follow-up of twelve to sixty-two months.     

Management of ear keloids using custom-molded pressure clips: a preliminary study

Background

The application of mechanical pressure by compression devices has gained popularity in the treatment of keloid scars. In this present study, we analyze the long-term efficacy of our custom-molded pressure clip for ear keloids. Our secondary objective is to identify risk factors for the failure of the treatment in the group of the recurrence.

Methods

The patient group consisted of 9 men and 19 women with a mean age of 27 years and a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. For evaluation of the scars, scoring ratings, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and SF8-questionnaire have been used.

Results

Follow-up observations showed that 71 % were treated successfully. There were significant differences in the Fitzpatrick scale, cause of the ear keloids, overall opinion, and openness for re-treatment between the recurrence and nonrecurrence group. Furthermore, treatment with our custom-molded pressure ear clip resulted in a statistically significant improvement of all the item scores of the POSAS in both the patient and observer scales. Severe complications such as infections or necrosis were not noted.

Conclusions

In this study, we show that the results of adjuvant pressure therapy with our custom-molded ear clips are comparable with the recurrence rates of other studies recently published. The strength of this study is the long follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study     

Treatment of earlobe keloids using the cobalt 60 teletherapy unit

The purpose of this study was to develop an easily accessible technique for the delivery of postoperative radiotherapy for the treatment of earlobe keloids. Forty-seven earlobe keloids were given postoperative radiation using the smallest achievable half field Telecobalt technique. Results showed 41 (87.2%) of treated patients' postoperative scars remained free from recurrent keloid formation. Acute reactions were minimal and patient compliance was excellent. In conclusion, the technique described in this study for the delivery of postoperative radiation to earlobe keloids should be readily available in areas of high prevalence. Results are comparable to previously used radiotherapy techniques.     

Cryotherapy in the treatment of keloids

A brief account of the clinical and histological features of keloids, their differentiation from hypertrophic scars, their etiopathogenesis, and the various methods for their treatment is followed by an assessment of the possibilities offered by cryotherapy and its advantages and drawbacks. Reference is made by way of illustration to 4 patients chosen from a series of more than 100 on the basis of the importance of their clinical pictures. The conclusion is drawn that cryotherapy with nitrogen protoxide is both useful and practical in the management of carefully selected cases and deserves fuller understanding and more widespread employment than it enjoys at present.     

腹腔镜夹抵制血管内高压能力的实验研究

目的:探讨管腔内高压能否引起钛夹或可吸收夹松弛、移位或滑落,单个腹腔镜夹闭合管腔是否安全。方法:将犬的四肢及腹部不同管径的血管游离出体外,采用钛夹和可吸收夹夹闭血管,使管腔内压力逐渐升到40.0kPa,观察(1)钛夹和可吸收夹有无松弛、移位或滑落;(2)血管壁有无破裂;(3)管腔内是否达到预期压力40.0kPa。结果:当管腔内压力达到40.0kPa时,无血管壁破裂,无腹腔镜夹发生松弛、移位或滑落,钛夹、可吸收夹闭合血管能抵制40.0kPa高压。结论:钛夹或可吸收夹闭合管腔安全可靠,腹腔镜夹的松弛、移位或滑落与管腔内高压无关,单夹夹闭血管与双重或三重腹腔镜夹夹闭血管无明显差别。     

Laser-assisted topical corticosteroid delivery for the treatment of keloids

Laser-assisted drug delivery has generated intense interest. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the clinical benefit of laser-assisted corticosteroid delivery and to compare this technique to corticosteroid intralesional injection, a standard treatment for keloids. Patients with keloids on the left shoulder after BCG vaccination were enrolled in this study. The entire lesion was first treated with an ablative fractional erbium-YAG laser. After this treatment, the lesion was divided into two halves. The first half received an intralesional injection of corticosteroid, whereas the second half received topical application of corticosteroids that were occluded for 3 hours. Four treatment sessions were conducted, with treatments occurring once every 6 weeks. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Pain was self-assessed by the patient during the procedure. The mean keloid VSS score before treatment was 8.59?±?1.23 for the corticosteroid injection site and 8.31?±?2.09 for the topical site. After treatment, the mean keloid VSS score was decreased on both sides (4.56?±?1.09 vs 5.02?±?0.87, respectively, P?>?0.05). Patients rated their satisfaction level as “moderate” on both sides. However, the mean pain score was 1.1 out of 10 on the topical side versus 6.1 on the corticosteroid injection site. The combination of ablative fractional laser treatment and topical corticosteroid application is a promising modality for the treatment of keloids. Moreover, this procedure was not associated with any serious adverse reactions or unbearable pain.     

一种简易吸附系统在经皮肾镜钬激光碎石术中的运用

目的 介绍经皮肾镜碎石取石术(PCNL)中应用自制清石吸附系统的初步体会.方法 在经皮肾穿刺造瘘钦激光碎石术中运用一种自制简易吸附系统,由一只类似于腹腔镜直径0.5 cm Trocar的金属鞘,通过直径1.5 cm硅胶管接结石收集瓶再接负压吸引瓶制成.共治疗复杂性肾铸型结石51例,观察并记录碎石效果、手术并发症、术后结石残留情况等.结果 1例患者因术中出血多需中转开放,其余50例顺利完成手术,平均手术时间75.5 min.9例肾盏内小结石残留于难以到达的肾盏,术后联合体外震波碎石术治疗,3个月内排净.41例无结石残留,结石清除率82％.结论 在微创经皮肾穿刺造瘘钬激光碎石术中运用前文介绍的自制简易吸附系统治疗复杂性肾铸型结石,具有操作简便、碎石清石效率高、手术时间短的优点,手术安全,有临床应用价值.     

A protocol for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids

Hypertrophic scars and keloids still present problems in both white and pigmented skin. A treatment protocol is proposed: Hypertrophic scars are primarily treated with intralesional injections of corticosteroids or with compression therapy. Surgical scar revision is only secondarily indicated. Recurrent and resistant hypertrophic scars are surgically excised and postoperatively irradiated (twice with 400-cGy 7-MeV electron irradiation).Presented at the VIII Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Madrid, Spain, 16 September 1985     

The efficacy of magnetic disks for the treatment of earlobe hypertrophic scar

Ear piercing has been widely performed for various reasons, but it may cause hypertrophic scarring and its attendant cosmetic problems and/or subjective symptoms, such as pruritus or pain. Many treatment methods have been applied alone or in combination, including surgical excision, steroid injection, compression, radiation, topical silicone application, and so on. Although each modality or combined therapy has its advantages and disadvantages, in the authors' opinion, compressive therapy combined with surgical excision is the most effective method in many respects. However, the peculiar shape of the earlobe does not allow for easy compression. Thus, many compressive devices have been developed that are not wholly satisfactory in terms of effectiveness, appearance, size, or convenience. The authors describe a newly developed method for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring of the earlobe that uses magnetic disks. They treated 47 patients (91 auricles) with a hypertrophic scar on the earlobe that underwent compressive therapy using magnetic disks after surgical excision from April to December 2002. The use of magnetic disks proved effective, and they believe that it offers many advantages as a compressive device.     

Comparative study of the pressure of various aneurysm clips.

Comparative study of the pressure and the resistance to slippage of several aneurysm clips was done. Knowledge of the physical characteristics of various clips, such as the pressure, maximum opening angle, and width and thickness of the blade is essential for their proper use.     

Histological analysis of hyalinised keloidal collagen formation in earlobe keloids over time: collagen hyalinisation starts in the perivascular area

Keloids grow and do not regress. They are characterised histologically by hyalinised keloidal collagen (HKC). HKC amounts vary, and the mechanism by which they form is unclear. To clarify how HKCs form and whether their formation associates with specific clinical features, we studied the histological findings of earlobe keloids and compared them with respective clinical features. A total of 50 earlobe keloids from 43 patients were used for histological analysis of keloid size (mm²), HKC area (mm²) and HKC area ratio (%). As a result, keloid durations ranged from 3 months to >13 years. Early‐stage keloids exhibited little HKC and a tendency for the HKCs to locate in perivascular regions. In later‐stage keloids, the HKCs were extremely interconnected and formed a thick bitten donut‐shaped region. HKC area ratios correlated positively with keloid duration (r² = 0·58, P<0·05). HKC area ratios and keloid durations did not correlate with keloid sizes. These patterns of HKC formation and growth may explain why local therapies, which effectively remove fibroblasts and accumulated collagen but not HKCs, are ineffective in older keloids. Keloids should be promptly treated after diagnosis, and older keloids with extensive HKCs may require surgical excision followed by radiotherapy.     

Analgesia after laparoscopic sterilization Effect of 2% lignocaine gel applied to Filshie clips

We performed a randomised controlled study in patients undergoing day case laparoscopic sterilisation to assess whether coating Filshie clips with 2% lignocaine gel prior to application to the Fallopian tubes would reduce postoperative pain. Sixty-two patients were studied, in 33 of whom the Filshie clips were coated in sterile 2% lignocaine gel. Pain scores in the lignocaine gel group were significantly lower than in the control group at 1 h after return to the ward, but no differences were found immediately on return to the ward, or at discharge or at 24 h. There were no significant differences between the two groups in postoperative analgesic requirements or in side effects.     

Simple method to determine the size of the laryngeal mask airway in children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The size of the laryngeal mask airway in children is determined by the patient's weight. However, in some instances an alternative method may be wanted. The aim was to search for a new method that would be easy to perform at the bedside. METHODS: The size of the laryngeal mask airway was determined in 183 children by choosing the laryngeal mask that best matched the combined widths of the patient's index, middle and ring fingers. The results were compared with the standard method recommended by the manufacturer's weight-related guidelines. The patients were classified in different groups depending on the laryngeal mask airway sizes determined by both methods. A kappa coefficient evaluated the agreement between both techniques. RESULTS: The kappa coefficient was 0.81, showing an 'excellent agreement' between both methods. The size was the same for both methods in 142 children (78%). The disagreement between both techniques was only of one size in the remaining 41 patients (22%). In such patients, the weight was a borderline value that would indicate a change in the size of the laryngeal mask airway using the classic method. CONCLUSIONS: This new approach is of valid and practical use in children, particularly as an alternative in those situations where the patient's weight is unknown, such as in emergency situations or in those borderline instances where an alternative measurement would be useful.