Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2020 Jul;63(7):301-307. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00675.

The Study of Ear Keloids by Surgical Excision with Fillet Flap in a Single Institution

• Kim CJ
• Choi H
• Na CH
• Shin BS
• Kim MS

• KMID: 2504988
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00675

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Keloids are benign dermal fibrous growth and excessive collagen deposition that occur usually after trauma or surgery. In the treatment of keloids, the recurrence rate is relatively high after surgical excision. Fillet flap is known to be a good surgical method for keloid lesions. The purpose of this study is to find out manifestation and compare the results of ear keloids after the surgery by fillet flap.
Subjects and Method
We retrospectively evaluated 22 patients with ear keloids (n=31) who underwent core excision with fillet flap at the Department of Dermatology, Chosun University Hospital from May 2010 to June 2018.
Results
With the 22 of treated patients and 31 ear keloid lesions, the average size of keloid lesions was 0.75×1.05 cm2 . The frequencies of occurrence with respect to the location of keloids according to the anatomical structure of the ear were 12 lobule (38.7%), 17 helix (54.8%), 1 antihelical fold (3.2%), and 1 postauricle (3.2%), respectively. There were 14 lobular types (45.2%), 9 dumbbell types (29.0%), 5 button types (16.1%), and 3 wrap-around type (9.7%). Recurrence was found in 8 keloid lesions (25.8%) and 5 patients (22.7%) after the surgery. Earlobe lesions and dumbbell shaped recurred with the highest recurrence rate. Among the 5 patients who relapsed, 4 had family history of keloids.
Conclusion
The earlobe and dumbbell shaped types showed the highest recurrence rate and family history was also an important risk factor for recurrence. Also, surgical excision with fillet flap can be very effective and is a good way to treat ear keloids.

Keyword

Ear; Flap; Keloid; Surgery