Post-surgical brachytherapy in the treatment of keloids: A single-center study

A keloid is a benign fibro-dermal tumor that produces an excess deposit of extra-cellular matrix. It usually occurs after a skin lesion, and it spreads beyond the wound. It is characterized by high recurrence rate after excision and lack of tendency of spontaneous involution. Multiple treatments have been described, with recurrence rates of up to 100%. One of the treatments considered most effective is combined therapy, i.e., surgery and subsequent radiotherapy using interstitial irradiation with iridium-192 (brachytherapy), with a clear reduction in recurrence rate.

In our center, the technique was introduced in 2012, and the current retrospective observational study was conducted among 27 patients treated till December 2020.

The recurrence rate in the study was 25%, of which 83% recurred partially.

The most frequent complications observed were dehiscence and infection of the surgical wound, therefore this therapeutic approach can be considered both safe and effective.