Use of cryotherapy in the treatment of keloids.

BACKGROUND Numerous approaches are used to treat keloids, but none is ideal for all scars and recurrence after treatment is frequent. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy for treatment of these scars. METHODS Sixty-five lesions of various sizes and ages were treated with a hand-held liquid nitrogen spray unit; freeze times and number of sessions varied. Scar volume was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS Complete flattening was achieved in 48 scars (73%), most of which were less than 2 years old. Unacceptable responses were seen in six scars. No recurrence was seen during follow-ups ranging from 17 to 42 months. Side effects were limited to hypopigmentation and slight to moderate atrophy in three cases. CONCLUSION Cryotherapy is an effective, low-risk approach to keloid treatment associated with a low rate of recurrence.

[1]  D. D. Datubo-Brown.  Keloids: a review of the literature. , 1990, British journal of plastic surgery.

[2]  R. Wb,et al.  Keloids and hypertrophic scars: a comprehensive review. , 1989 .

[3]  L. Brown,et al.  Keloids: scar revision. , 1986, The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology.

[4]  E. Ponzio,et al.  Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Keloids , 1983, Annals of plastic surgery.

[5]  R. Dawber,et al.  The response of keloid scars to cryosurgery. , 1982, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[6]  I. K. Cohen,et al.  Collagenase in keloid biopsies and fibroblasts. , 1982, Connective tissue research.

[7]  M. McGrath,et al.  Posttraumatic Median Neuroma: A Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome , 1979, Annals of plastic surgery.

[8]  D. Jackson,et al.  Collagen biosynthesis in normal and hypertrophic scars and keloid as a function of the duration of the scar , 1975, The British journal of surgery.

[9]  I. Raizada.  Surgery of pterygium. , 1975, Indian journal of ophthalmology.

[10]  I. K. Cohen,et al.  Collagen synthesis in human keloid and hypertrophic scar. , 1972, Surgical forum.