A Working Classification and a Simple Effective Management Protocol for Ear Keloids.

BACKGROUND: The unpredictable behavior of scars in the ear makes it a nightmare in planning the management protocol for ear keloids. To understand and classify the ear keloid, a simple working classification based on the anatomical location has been proposed. Low recurrence rate should be the primary determinant in choosing a management protocol. The scar control protocol includes complete excision of the keloid, taking care not to extend to normal skin which was followed by a round-the-clock 24×7 management protocol for 6 months to 1 year. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study presents a prospective analysis of 71 patients with 106 ear keloids who underwent surgery in our clinic between 2007 and 2022. The management included complete excision, postoperative adjuvant therapy in the form of self-managed scar stabilization with bi-digital, bi-dimensional, bi-directional massage and corticosteroid therapy if warranted. Complete keloid excision with primary reconstruction was followed up to 1 year, and recurrence rates were tracked during this period. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients, 91.54% were women. All lesions (n = 106) were treated by complete excision. The average age was between 15 and 30 years. The overall recurrence rate was 5.6%. CONCLUSION: With our classification and protocol, we were able to achieve a consistent recurrence free state in 94.4% of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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 .