Earlobe Keloids: Classification According to Gross Morphology Determines Proper Surgical Approach

Background A previous study described the outcomes of a treatment protocol using a prospective design and identified three clinical risk factors for recurrent keloids. Objective To introduce a novel classification of earlobe keloids through a retrospective study and describe the appropriate surgical methods according to this new classification. Methods One thousand twenty‐seven earlobe keloids were treated at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from March 2001 to February 2011. All cases were studied retrospectively and classified. Results The earlobe keloids were classified into five groups. The frequency of earlobe keloids in descending order were a sessile type, single nodular pattern; pedunculated type; sessile type, multinodular pattern; buried type; and mixed type. Different surgical methods were used based on the Chang‐Park classification according to gross morphology, including core extirpation using a penetrating technique, standard keloidectomy, radical keloidectomy, keloidectomy with core extirpation, and a combination of these. All cases were closed primarily without skin grafting or sacrifice of the surrounding tissue. Conclusions This novel classification for earlobe keloids can lead to a better understanding of the different types of earlobe keloids and inform decisions regarding surgical methods.