[Treatment of keloids with shaving and cryosurgery: preliminary reports]

Numerous treatments have been proposed in patients with keloid scars. Unfortunately, most exhibit poor efficacy. The preliminary results obtained in ten patients with large keloid scars treated by shaving followed by cryosurgery are reported.

Ten patients with one or more keloid scars were treated by shaving of the keloid immediately followed by cryosurgery of underlying scar tissue using an impedance of 500 k Ohms. Minimum post-treatment follow-up was 12 months. "Major response" was defined as a reduction in keloid thickness of 80% to 100%, "moderate response" as an improvement of 50% to 80% or partial relapse, and failure as an improvement of less than 50% or complete relapse after treatment.

A total of 16 keloids in ten patients (7 men, 3 women) aged from 10 to 45 years old (mean age: 25 years) were treated. Keloids were localised on the lower lobe of the ear (n=10), on the ear lobe (n=3), on the neck (n=1), on the pubis (n=1), and on the presternal area (n=1). Mean duration of keloids was 3.1 years (18 months - 10 years). Mean follow-up was 23 months (12-56 months). "Major responses" were observed in 13 cases (82%) (3 cases required further treatment); "moderate response" was observed in 3 cases (18%).

These preliminary results are highly encouraging since all patients showed improvement. Shaving associated with cryosurgery appears to us to be a useful treatment for large keloids scars, particularly after otoplastic surgery.