A 7-year experience with keloid fillet flap and adjuvant intralesional corticosteroids

Context: Keloids are fibroproliferative scars characterized by excessive collagen deposition beyond the margins of the original wound. Although many treatment modalities were described in the literature, no single first-line therapy is recommended, and its recurrence rate remains high. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy rate in treating auricle keloids after fillet flap excision combined with adjuvant intralesional steroid injections. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Between 2012 and 2019, a total of 16 auricle keloids were treated at our center with fillet flap excision and adjuvant steroid injections. Intralesional steroid injections were given at the end of the first week and then administered at 4-week intervals until the lesions were soft and flat. Postoperative efficacy, complications, recurrence, and patient satisfaction were analyzed. Results: A high improvement of the keloid was observed in 13 (81.2%) lesions. No major complications and no recurrence of the keloid were detected during the follow-up period (mean, 35 months). Regarding patient satisfaction, nine (81.8%) considered their result as excellent. Conclusion: This study showed that this approach is effective regardless of the keloid location at the auricle.