The treatment of 783 keloid scars by iridium 192 interstitial irradiation after surgical excision.

Purpose: the aim of this study is to confirm the effectiveness of irradiation associated with surgery in the treatment of keloids, to precise the factors favoring the recurrence of these keloids, and to evaluate the risk of recurrence, according to their initial distinctive features.

Methods And Materials: between 1977 and 1988, 544 patients, with a total of 855 keloids, were treated by interstitial radiotherapy immediately following total excision.

Results: recurrence rate is 21%, as against 50 to 80% for surgery alone, according to most authors. This recurrence rate is about the same as for external radiotherapy, but we prefer our method for practical reasons (cost, equipment, radiobiology, technique). Ninety percent of recurrences occurred in the year following therapy, which proves that a follow-up time of at least 12 months is needed for a study of keloids. In our experience, the keloids that are the most likely to recur are the largest and those giving rise to most symptoms. Bruising and loosened stitches, but in particular infection during therapy, largely favor a recurrence. In our series, the symptoms disappeared or were much improved in 80% of cases, and the cosmetic result was judged good by 75% of the patients.

Conclusion: the results of this study proves the effectiveness of the method linking surgical excision and Iridium 192 interstitial irradiation and shows the importance of the sterile conditions of the treatment.