Surgical Excision with Adjuvant Irradiation for Treatment of Keloid Scars: A Systematic Review. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Leeuwen, Michiel C. E.; Stokmans, Suzanne C.; Bulstra, Anne Eva J.; Meijer, Otto W. M.; Heymans, Martijn W.; Ket, Johannes C. F.; Ritt, Marco J. P. F.; van Leeuwen, Paul A. M.; Niessen, Frank B.
• Is Part Of: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Volume 3:Issue 7(2015:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; 617.95205
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-7574

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Excision followed by adjuvant irradiation is considered safe and most efficacious for treatment of keloid scars. Recently, different authors published successful treatment protocols and recommended the following: (1) the use of high-dose-rate brachytherapy instead of low-dose-rate brachytherapy or external radiation; (2) a short-time interval between operation and irradiation; (3) single fraction instead of multifraction irradiation; and (4) a minimum of 12- to 24-month follow-up post treatment. Methods: This study evaluates the above recommendations with a systematic review of the English-language literature, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Both PubMed and EMBASE were searched. Studies were graded according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Rating Levels of Evidence. Results: Thirty-three studies were selected. Six studies were graded as level of evidence type II studies and 27 as type III. High-dose-rate brachytherapy showed lower recurrence rates compared with low-dose-rate brachytherapy and external radiation. A short-time (<7 hours) interval between scar excision and irradiation results in a lower recurrence rate compared with long-time intervals (>24 hours). Single-fraction irradiation showed promising results in terms of recurrence rate and patient convenience. Finally, scar recurrences were seen between 2 and 36 months, with a mean of 15 months. Conclusions: Based on this systematic review of the literature, the evidence confirms the recommendations stated by authors in the recent years. However, due to the lack of high-quality randomized studies, the quality of this evidence is limited. More randomized studies will generate stronger recommendations.