• Kai Fruth, Haralampos Gouveris, Christoph Kuelkens, and Wolf J Mann.
• Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany. kai.fruth@unimedizin-mainz.de
• Laryngoscope. 2011 Jun 1; 121 (6): 1233-6.

Objectives/HypothesisKeloids are often refractive to treatment, and recurrences occur quite frequently. Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) is a surgical technology that induces extensive fibrosis at the target tissues.MethodsWe applied RFTVR in 14 patients (19 auricles, 5 patients treated bilaterally; 9 female, 5 male; range, 10-66 years) with keloids of the auricle. Keloids were located at the earlobe in 4 patients (5 auricles), helix in 9 patients (12 auricles), and at both earlobe and helix in 1 patient (2 auricles). In 6 patients (8 auricles) RFTVR was the sole treatment modality applied, and in 7 patients (10 auricles) intralesional steroid injection was also performed. Patients underwent one to seven sessions of RFTVR. Patients were followed up between 2 and 92 months postoperatively (median, 24.5 months).ResultsGood cosmetic results were achieved in 10 of 14 patients (13 auricles). Three patients (5 auricles) were refractive to treatment, and 1 patient (1 auricle) showed progressive disease despite treatment.ConclusionsRadiofrequency tissue volume reduction may be considered as a new, minimally invasive treatment option for keloids of the auricle.Copyright © 2011 The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc.

18 keywords...

hide…