Keloid Removal Surgery on a 3-year-old?

My 3 year old daughter has a one inch keloid scar on her face. I am wondering, how much of this can be reduced with surgery?

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face keloid scar

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by courycox in New York City, NY

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Keloid scars in children

Childhood scars fair better than adult scars, but keloids continue to present major problems in adults and children. I would begin conservative treatment first with TAC injection, topical treatments, and silicone sheeting. Surgery should be a last resort, as is the case with radiation.

Keloid in a child

While it is not impossible to have a keloid at 3, it is not common. It possibly could be a hypertrophic scar. Sometimes conservative management with silicone sheeting and compressive garments may be better. When the child is older, a scar revision may be helpful if it is a hypertrophic scar. If it is a true keloid, it could require other things combined with surgery such as steroid injections or even local radiation.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Avoid invasive procedures on children, if possible

I would be hesitant to perform invasive procedure on a 3-year-old for keloid treatment. From my previous managment of pediatric burn patients, I can tell you that most kids heal very well. What worked very well with kids, was silicone sheet treatment plus or minus compression.Injection could be the next level of action in big facial keloids. The effect of steroids on premature closure of bone ends should be well considerd but unlikely due to the small concentration and local delivery. Best... more

Keloid in a 3 year old.

Keloids are a problem which continue to stump the medical community. This is very unusual in a 3 year old. What was the cause? Will it continue to be a problem? These are questions that are best answered by a qualified physician after a history and physical examination. It is quite possible that this will recur.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Keloid

You need to see an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who will evaluate your child's problem, the cause, whether it is a keloid or some other lesion, take a medical history to include the growth of this lesion over time, trauma to the region, etc., and then discuss options with you. The keloid can be fully removed, but there is no guarantee it will not return, but a physician experienced in treating keloids can determine which method would be best and... more