Outcomes of Surgical Excision with Pressure Therapy Using Magnets and Identification of Risk Factors for Recurrent Keloids

Abstract

Sir: The reason we write this letter is that we really would like to know the details of the statement, “applied pressure was 35 mmHg, which was estimated using a digital manometer” in the article entitled “Outcomes of Surgical Excision with Pressure Therapy Using Magnets and Identification of Risk Factors for Recurrent Keloids” by Park et al.1 For the pressure application, a variety of pressure earrings, magnets, or bandages have been used.2 However, it is not yet known how much pressure is applied to each device for keloids of the earlobe. The applied pressure of 35 mmHg estimated using a digital manometer is the first exact document and might be the standard pressure for keloid treatment.1 This seems to be very interesting and might be useful information for clinical application. However, it is unclear how the authors measured the pressure of the magnets applied to the earlobe using a digital manometer and what type of manometer they used. In a previous article, which was not cited by Park et al., Savion et al. described that a screw type could obtain high pressure but that it was difficult to adjust to specific pressures (15 to 20 mmHg).2 Chang et al. documented that there was a significant decrease in fibroblast count and the concentration in the 18-hour and 24-hour, 20- or 40-mmHg–treated group compared with the control group. They insisted that pressure inhibits the growth and activity of human scar fibroblasts, and a higher pressure application can shorten the daily application period.3 Park et al. applied magnets, and the applied pressure was 35 mmHg, which was estimated using a digital manometer.1 Because force varies according to the distance between two magnets, the pressure they applied was not thought to be constant. If Dr. Park can provide details regarding measuring the pressure and its relationship with the force generated by magnets (gauss), which we believe he has, it will be very valuable to clinicians and to researchers. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this communication. Se Ho Hwang, M.B.Ch.B. Leicester Medical School Leicester, United Kingdom Kun Hwang, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Plastic Surgery Inha University School of Medicine Incheon, Republic of Korea