Cryosurgery in the treatment of earlobe keloids: report of seven cases.
BACKGROUND
Keloids are benign cutaneous lesions that result from excessive collagen synthesis and deposition. Earlobe keloids in particular are seen as a complication of plastic surgery or piercing. Many different treatment modalities have been used, often with unsatisfactory results.


METHODS
We have made a retrospective analysis of seven young patients (ages 9 to 22 years) with earlobe keloids. Scarring followed plastic surgery in six cases and piercing in one case. All patients were treated with cryosurgery as the monotherapy. The freeze time and the number of sessions varied depending on the clinical findings, the effect of the treatment, and the patients' tolerance. Cryotherapy was started 6 to 24 months after keloid development.


RESULTS
Scar volume was reduced in all cases. Complete flattening in five patients and a pronounced reduction to a maximum of 25% of the previous thickness in one other patient were achieved. One patient discontinued the therapy because of soreness after only partial improvement. The procedure was painful for all patients; no further side effects were noticed. No recurrence was observed within 1 to 4.5 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
We present an excellent effect of cryosurgery as the monotherapy for the treatment of earlobe keloid scars of young patients.
Fikrle
Tomas
T
Department of Dermatology, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic. fikrle@fnplzen.cz
Pizinger
Karel
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003452:Cryosurgery; D004431:Ear, External; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*