Keloid Removal Surgery in Delhi NCR

What are the common conditions leading to keloids in the body?

The common conditions which lead to keloid formation are:

1. Surgical incision sites
2. Burns
3. Acne or chickenpox scar
4. Ear or body piercing or tattoo scars
5. Vaccination or blister sites

What are the characteristics of keloid ?

Keloids can be soft and rubbery or hard and firm. Men and women have equal predisposition to the keloid formation whereas being dark, having genetic history, being younger than 30 years or pregnant increases the risk. It is very common for keloids to appear on the shoulders, upper back and chest. However, it can occur anywhere on the body.

What are the chief concerns with keloid?

Apart from appearing cosmetically unpleasant, the keloids can appear as firm to hard irregular bumps on skin which are sometimes itchy also. If formed on joint, it may cause joint movement restriction.

Why preliminary consultation is important with our plastic surgeon before surgery?

Keloids are not like ordinary scars. Many patients have multiple myths against keloids, they think it is some cancerous growth or fault of the surgeon if it is on scarline. Hence, counselling plays a very important role in making the patient understand the pathophysiology of keloid. Our plastic surgeon will help you understand the lesion and the treatment options available.
Thorough history will be taken and high risk factors would be assessed.
You should understand that there is no single treatment for keloids, and most treatments do not give completely satisfying results. There are many cases of keloids reforming after one treatment session. Hence, for best results, treatment should be started soon after the keloid appears and two or more treatments have to be combined.

What are the treatment options available?

Available treatment options for keloid include:

1. Dressings — Moist wound coverings made of silicone gel sheets are shown to reduce the size of keloids over time by increasing the temperature, hydration, and perhaps the oxygen tension of the scar. This further causes it to become soft and flat. It is a safe and painless treatment.
2. Corticosteroid injections — Injections into keloids with triamcinolone acetonide at regular intervals of four to six weeks have shown to provide beneficial effect.
3. Compression — This involves using a bandage to apply continuous pressure over 24 hours, usually done at ear piercing site to decrease the size of ear keloid. This decreases the blood flow to the area and helps in decreasing the size.
4. Excision surgery — This requires great care, and keloids that return after being removed may be larger than the original. Keloids return in more than 45% of people when they are removed surgically and results are better if some other treatment is combined.
5. Cryosurgery — This treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the target area and is suggested to repeat every 20 to 30 days. This modality works great on smaller keloids.
6. Laser therapy — This treatment is a good alternative to conventional keloid removal surgery. It helps in flattening the keloid and lightening its color. Principal effect of a pulsed dye laser is on scar microvasculature, reducing erythema and pruritus and improving skin texture.
7. Fluorouracil injections — Injections into the keloids with the combination of the chemotherapy drug fluorouracil and triamcinolone have been used to successfully decrease keloid size.

What steps can be taken to minimize or prevent keloid?

1. People who are at high risk and prone to keloids should avoid cosmetic surgery.
2. If the surgery is necessary, surgeon can take utmost precautions to minimize the risk of keloids formation at the site of the incision.
3. PRP can be injected at the surgical scar site at the time of wound closure in high risk cases for better scar healing.