[Keloid and hypertrophic scars].
BACKGROUND
Keloid and hypertrophic scars develop most frequently in wounds with high skin tension and especially on the upper truncus. Both are characterized by an excessive dysfunctional collagen metabolism.


METHODS
The article presents data from research in current literature and discuss the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients that are undergoing elective surgery should be handled with surgical techniques that reduce wound closing tension. Patients who are at high-risk or show excessive scar development should follow standard treatment. First-line therapy is silicone sheeting and/or pressure. In case of minimal response, steroid injections should be started after two months. The patient must be re-evaluated for a surgical approach combined with conservative treatment if the result is unsatisfactory after 12 months.
Tønseth
Kim Alexander
KA
Plastisk kirurgisk avdeling, Sykehuset Telemark, Skien. kim.tonseth@rikshospitalet.no
Tindholdt
Tyge Tind
TT
Solberg
Ulf Sverre
US
Busic
Vanja
V
Mesic
Haris
H
Begic
Anadi
A
D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods