title: Is the treatment of keloid scars still a challenge in 2006?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several options are described to treat keloid scars, none of them being 100% successful. Radiotherapy is suggested to have the most significant effect on recurrence rate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to confirm the effectiveness of iridium brachytherapy combined with surgery and to evaluate patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively enrolled 24 patients with 30 keloids, treated by surgical excision and iridium 192 high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significant difference in scar thickness before and after the treatment (P < 0.001). With regard to patient satisfaction and complaints, 79.1% of them had no pain and irritation after treatment, 79.2% of patients would recommend this treatment to other patients, and 87.5% would undergo this treatment again if necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm the effectiveness of surgical keloid excision followed by HDR brachytherapy in primary treatment or if other alternative methods have failed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
authors.forename: Hanneke J P
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Tielemans
authors.forename: René R W J
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: van der Hulst
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rhemrev
authors.forename: Fred H M
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.forename: Ludy C H W
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lutgens
authors.forename: Willy D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Boeckx
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007627:Keloid / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes