Prevention of Head and Neck Keloid with 5% Imiquimod Cream

Abstract

Objective: Retrospectively review the charts of patients from the University of Florida Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic over the past 4 years in order to evaluate the efficacy of keloid prevention after surgery with application of 5% imiquimod cream topically to excised areas.

Method: Retrospective chart review. Classification of keloid subsite in the head and neck, and recurrence rates as documented in electronic encounters will be analyzed. Patients that have not followed up for greater than 3 months will receive a phone call for follow up.

Results: The main result measured will be recurrence rates of head and neck keloid that have undergone surgical excision of these lesions followed by application of 5% imiquimod cream for 6 weeks. This will be obtained from retrospective review of clinic charts from the University of Florida patient database in addition to phone calls to previously treated patients that have not been seen in clinic for greater than 3 months.

Conclusion: Pending results and analysis, we hypothesize that application of 5% imiquimod cream following surgical excision of head and neck keloid leads to lower recurrence rates than what is quoted in the literature.