An inexpensive self fabricated pressure clip for the ear lobe

Abstract

Pressure therapy is an integral part of keloid treatment. There are certain areas of the body which are prone to keloid formation but are not amenable to pressure therapy. The ear lobe is one such area. A simple, self fabricated and inexpensive pressure clip has been used for applying postoperative pressure to the ear lobe. This is fabricated with cold-cure poly methyl methacrylate and orthodontic wire. This has been used in 41 ear lobe keloids in 26 patients along with postexcisional triamcinolone acetonide therapy, 5 ear lobe reconstructions and 2 cases of ear lobe clefts over a period of 8 years. Although these clips are not very aesthetic, still the acceptability is very high as the patients were well motivated. A total of 27 ear lobes in 18 patients of ear lobe keloids have undergone ear boring after 6-18 months of pressure therapy. The only complication noticed is in the form of pressure ulcer due to continuous pressure in two patients at the beginning of our experience with these clips. These healed well after temporarily stopping the use of the clip.