title: Analysis of 15 cases of auricular keloids following conchal cartilage grafts in an asian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, rhinoplasty techniques have advanced significantly and are frequently combined with columellar struts using conchal cartilage grafts to sufficiently reshape the nasal tip. For this reason, auricular keloids following harvesting of conchal cartilage grafts are expected to occur with greater frequency. The aim of this study was to share our experiences with auricular keloids and to suggest possible risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of patients with pathologically confirmed auricular keloids that were surgically excised with primary closure after conchal cartilage grafts were harvested. Starting between days 21 and 28 postoperatively, patients were instructed to use magnets for approximately 12 h a day for 6 months until adjuvant pressure therapy was completed. Recurrence after treatment was recorded. In all patients, a follow-up period of 18 months was required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Auricular keloids were successfully treated in 93.3 % of the cases and 6.7 % of the cases had recurrence. The postoperative course was uneventful without exception. There was a male predominance of auricular keloids after conchal cartilage graft harvesting. In addition, a high growth rate as a result of the short duration of the keloid before treatment was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adjuvant pressure therapy using magnets is useful for treating auricular keloids following conchal cartilage graft harvesting. In addition, surgeons should be careful when performing conchal cartilage harvest to avoid needless injury to the adjacent skin flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors                      www.springer.com/00266                                        .
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 108 Pyung-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 110-746, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ji Hae
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: June-Kyu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Dong Kyun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Rah
authors.forename: Choong Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D054644:Ear Auricle; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D060053:Transplant Donor Site; D055815:Young Adult