Insights into the Management of Keloid Scars : A Survey-Based Protocol

In the broad array of literature as it relates to keloid treatment, there is a global absence of definitive protocols in the management of keloid scars. The goal of this project was to find some common ground in treatment regimens among plastic surgeons and to determine how our treatment protocol compares with those of other plastic surgeons. To this end, a web-based survey was designed and over 700 random emails were sent to plastic surgeons worldwide, with 54 completing the survey, representing several hundred years of cumulative experience from the plastic surgeons who responded. These results were then tabulated and the more common regimens identified. The results of the survey, while useful in identifying common regimens and helping to substantiate the validity of our protocol, underscore the need for randomized, controlled trials to bring about more consistency in regimens used. Citation: Brown CS, Perez V, Hughes K (2015) Insights into the Management of Keloid Scars: A Survey-Based Protocol. J Clin Dermatol Ther 2: 015.


Treatments
An array of adjunctive therapies including silicone gel sheeting, pressure garments, intralesional steroids, and radiotherapy have been employed with variable success. Intralesional cryotherapy, a newer technique, though showing some promise with improvement of symptomatic keloids, remains controversial for use in a wider range of fitzpatrick types [5].

Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy has been employed as both adjunctive and primary treatment. Radiation therapy is presumed to destroy the proliferating fibroblasts, resulting in diminished collagen production [37]. Radiation treatments are typically administered over five to six sessions in the early postoperative period [38,39]. The combination of surgery and perioperative radiation therapy reduces recurrence to 10 percent according to some authors [37]. Historically, radiation therapy has been reserved for abnormal scars resistant to other treatments due to the presumed risks posed by radiation.

Excision and intralesional steroids
Though all of the modalities presented thus far have roles to play in keloid management, local excision in combination with intralesional kenalog has long been the definitive treatment for keloids. However, there is lack of a standardized protocol (including specific steroid, strength, number, and frequency of doses to be administered) in the published literature [40].

Intralesional cryotherapy
Intralesional cryotherapy is an emerging technique where the scar is frozen from inside. A recent comprehensive review demonstrated decreased clinical symptomatology and scar volume, however, complete eradication was not achieved and some patients experienced hypopigmentation and/or recurrences [5]. While showing some promise with improvement of symptomatic keloids, intralesional cryotherapy remains controversial for use in a wider range of fitzpatrick types.

Methods
To undertake this task of searching for a treatment protocol, a random compilation of board certified plastic surgeons was made comprising over 700 names. Next all of these selectees were emailed a letter asking for participation in filling out a web-based survey. Ultimately, 54 respondents filled out the survey. Lesions treated ranged in size from 0.5 cm to 15+ cm. Limitations of this study would include sample size and self-selection bias.
Participants were queried on steroid preference, concentration and volume injected, number of treatments, frequencies, and the temporal relationship of those injections to excision. Finally, those surveyed were asked to provide additional therapies they found useful in treating keloids.

Results
The results were then tabulated and expressed as percentages. Only the most common responses have been tabulated. Table 1 illustrates that triamcinolone (kenalog®) appears to be the overwhelming favorite for steroid injection. Triamcinolone (kenalog®) has long been used to treat keloid scars and is manufactured in standard concentrations from 10 to 40 mg/ml. Although the majority of the respondents used 40 mg/ml concentrations, many of these were diluted 2 to 1. After accounting for dilution, relatively equal numbers used each of the concentrations of kenalog. The concentration of the triamcinolone is easily ascertained, but the volume of injection for a certain surface area or a volume of scar tissue is not easily enumerated upon inspection alone. Thus, blanching of the involved scar area is recommended at the titration end point. Table 2 reveals that all of the plastic surgeons surveyed practice excision, which is what one expects when referred to a surgeon for treatment of a keloid. One also notices that the majority of surgeons injected 1 ml and that the majority administer perioperative steroids. As far as dosing intervals go, q month dosing for a total of 3 treatments was the most common preoperative and postoperative regimen, with q6 week dosing for 3 doses being the second most common.

Discussion
While excision and intralesional kenalog® constitute the most common treatment algorithm, it was interesting to note that (see table 3) 22% used radiation as a primary form of treatment following excision, and that almost ½ used radiation at some point in their treatment algorithm. Silicone gel sheeting (26%), compression garments (22%), and cordran tape (17%) constituted the majority of the other adjunctive therapies.

Conclusion
Therefore, if one were trying to define the most common algorithm, it would consist of the following: 1) Excise the keloid, injecting 1 ml of 10, 20, or 40 mg/dl kenalog at the time of surgery, 2) Inject 1 ml of 10, 20, or 40 mg/dl kenalog into the keloid postoperatively every month for a total of 3 doses.
These findings are largely supportive of and consistent with the protocol presented by the authors: 1 cc of triamcinolone 10mg/ml (kenalog 10®) is injected in the lesion (in smaller lesions fluid is injected until blanching is obtained). After a waiting period of 2-3 weeks, a full excision of the lesion is performed, while achieving good hemostasis and utilizing non-absorbable suture material for closure. At postoperative day 7, the suture material is removed and 1 cc of kenalog® 10 injected into the surgical scar. This is followed by 2 more injections of the steroid every 4 weeks.
Hopefully, the findings articulated in this paper will be useful to plastic surgeons managing keloid scars, particularly those physicians just beginning a practice and physicians in training. The paper also highlights the overwhelming need for prospective randomized trials to examine such protocols and their validity in the management of keloids. However, the results obtained within this paper do shed light upon the current thinking and management tactics of practicing plastic surgeons worldwide.