Long-Term Results of a Multimodal Treatment Regimen in Patients With Auricular Keloids

Abstract

Objectives: The treatment of auricular keloids is challenging, as they tend to recur; further, the treatment may impact quality of life and implies cosmetic and functional impairment for each patient. There is no standardized therapeutic concept established, and the literature is lacking long-term results of available treatment modalities. Methods: Patients suffering from auricular keloids were included in the study. All patients had undergone surgical resection, intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), and the application of an individual pressure splint. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the keloid intervention benefit inventory 21 (KIBI-21). Further analysis was carried out for patients without (group 1) and with (group 2) recurrence of the keloid. Results: In total, 50 keloids with a mean follow-up period of 59 months (range 6–137 months) could be analyzed. In nine cases (18%), a keloid recurrence was found during the observation period. The assessment of QoL differed significantly between study groups at P = 0.04, as well as for the subcategories General Health (GH) and Physical Health (PH). No differences were found for the categories Social Impact (SI) and Self-Esteem (SE). Conclusions: The multimodal subsequent treatment regimen consisting of surgical resection, intralesional TAC injection, and the application of an individual magnetic pressure splint shows good results concerning long-term recurrence rates. The treatment method shows positive effects on the QoL, especially in the measured categories GH and PH.