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Prevention

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Prevention is undoubtedly vital for keloid scars because of the difficulty with treating established lesions.

Basic surgical precepts include:

  • avoiding all but essential surgery in individuals with a strong personal or family history of keloid scarring
  • incise along relaxed skin tension lines and close wounds under no tension
  • reduce the risk of infection with thorough debridement and elimination of 'dead space'
  • perfect apposition of skin edges with gentle eversion
  • avoidance of placing scars in areas of the body that are more prone to keloid scarring including the pre-sternal area, deltoid area of the shoulder and on the earlobes

When a keloid is established, a number of techniques have been used to prevent recurrence after further surgery is undertaken on the site. These include:

  • steroid injection into the surrounding skin at the time of keloid excision
  • compression to the site of excision eg the ear lobule with dedicated compression earrings
  • radiotherapy to the site

None of these techniques are completely effective. They are considered in the section on 'treatment'.

 

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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