Self-fabricated Pressure Clips for the Treatment of Ear Keloid

Abstract

Objectives:

Pressure therapy is an integral part of keloid treatment; however, because of its complex and peculiar shape it is not amenable to pressure therapy. A self fabricated pressure device can provide accurate pressure resulting in equal pressure distribution over the keloid. Moreover, the pressure adjustments can be made as the wire is bent in the middle like a safety pin.

Methods:

Study design: A prospective study. The study was undertaken from August 2009 to November 2012. Subjects studied: Eight cases of either sex in the age group of 15-50 years. Setting: Pt. BDS Post graduate Institute Medical Sciences Rohtak, India, a tertiary care center. Interventions: Pressure clips were used for ear lobe keloids both in the pre-operative and post-operative period. The pressure clips were fabricated using poly(methyl methacrylate) and consisted of two parts for the medial and lateral surface of the external ear and were joined together with 19 gauge orthodontic wires shaped like a safety pin. The shape and size of the clip was in accordance to the size and shape of the keloid in the pre-operative period, while in the post-operative period they were according to the size shape of the post-operative scar area. Outcome Measurements: Keloid recurrence. Independent Variables: Age, sex, size, and location of the keloid.

Results:

In the preoperative period the pressure applied by the loop helped to reduce the size of the keloid. In the follow-up post-operative period the pressure applied by the loop showed very encouraging results with no recurrence seen over a follow-up period of one year.

Conclusions:

Pressure clips in the preoperative period help to reduce the size of keloid, while in the follow-up post-operative period, it prevents recurrence of keloid.