Triple treatment in ear keloids: Comparison of post-excisional intralesional steroid and platelet-rich plasma treatment

Abstract

PurposeEar keloids lead to psychological problems in the patient by causing complaints, such as itching and swelling. It is highly resistant to treatment, and recurrences are frequent. In the present study, the purpose was to investigate the treatment success of the intralesional steroid and PRP combination in addition to surgical excision in ear keloids. The 5-year recurrence rates and adverse effects of both treatments were also compared in this respect. Materials and methodsIn this study, 60 patients between the ages of 16 and 65 who were followed up between 2015 and 2020 due to ear keloids were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 different groups (n = 20) as (A-B-C). There were patients who had only intralesional steroid injections due to ear keloids in Group A, patients who had intraoperative/postoperative steroid injections combined with surgical excision were in Group B, and patients who had intraoperative/postoperative steroid+intraoperative Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections combined with surgical excision were in Group C. ResultsIt was found that the 5-year recurrence rate was the lowest in Group C (Surgical Excision+PRP + TAC). The 5-year recurrence rate of Group C was significantly lower when compared with other groups (p < 0.05). When the 5-year recurrence rate of Group A (TAC) and B (Surgical Excision+TAC) was compared, the recurrence rate of Group B was significantly lower (p < 0.05). When the adverse effects were compared, no significant differences were detected between two Groups (A-B) in terms of Skin Atrophy and Telangiectasia. Significant differences were detected between patients in Group C and other groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected between Group B and C (p = 0.832). ConclusionThe combination of surgical excision with Intralesional TAC and PRP treatment in patients with ear keloids should be considered as a highly successful multimodal treatment in terms of low recurrence and adverse effects.