Role of mitomycin C in reducing keloid recurrence: patient series and literature review.

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of mitomycin C in reducing keloid recurrence.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

SETTING

Tertiary care referral centre.

PATIENTS: Case series of 20 patients presenting with 26 pinna swellings, mostly following ear piercing.

INTERVENTIONS: We used the technique of surgical shave excision combined with topical application of mitomycin C and secondary wound healing, in all 26 pinnae.

RESULTS

Patients were followed up six to 24 months post-operatively. No recurrences were noted during this period.

CONCLUSION

Keloids are fibrotic lesions resulting from abnormal wound healing. The uncontrolled proliferation of normal tissue healing processes results in scarring that enlarges well beyond the original wound margins. Successful treatment of keloids remains a challenge because this disease process has a high propensity for recurrence. Various therapies have previously been reported, and success rates are highly variable. We believe that shave excision followed by topical mitomycin C application is a promising treatment option for the management of pinna keloids.