Before and after right ear keloid excision and reconstruction in a 68 year old woman. She had developed a keloid after an infection of her ear many years ago. She had failed conservative treatment including massage and steroid injections. A keloid scar is in fact a benign tumor, where the scar producing cells keep making scar tissue despite the absence of a wound or any trigger for healing.
Her keloid was excised in the office under local anesthesia. A local flap reconstruction rearranged her ear skin to cover the defect. Postoperatively, she started aggressive scar therapy at one month and was followed closely for years afterwards.
She required two steroid injections for keloid recurrence at one year and three years, respectively. The steroid prevented the keloid from recurring. We continue to see her yearly, or as needed if she develops symptoms such as itching, pain or growth of the keloid at any time in the future.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
