I've never had keloids, nor has my family, why did I get them behind each ear after otoplasty?

Question

I had otoplasty surgery years ago, around one year after my surgery i began to develop a keloid scar behind my right ear, it grew to a fair size before i began steroid injections. I then noticed a small one begin behind the left ear, which again, years after initial operation. I have ZERO evidence of keloids anywhere else on my body, infact, i have many scars, all of which are completely normal. Ive had the keloids removed today, any idea why i developed them in first place? Allergy to sutures?

Inessa Fishman, MD · Answer

While some patients (particularly those with an African or Asian ethnicity) are genetically predisposed to keloid formation, sometimes keloids can form because of excess tension on an incision, or just bad luck.  Keloids, or lumpy scars that grow beyond the borders of an incision, are typically treated with steroid injections, excision, or low-dose radiation therapy.  Hypertrophic scars, or lumpy scars that stay within the borders of an incision, can usually be quite well treated with steroid injections and time, with excisional therapy reserved for recalcitrant scars.  I think you'd do well to keep a close follow-up with your surgeon; keloids can come back after excision, and may require steroids or radiation if they recur.  Good luck!

John B. Lazor, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It is possible that keloids can reform in the area where yours were just excised. They can form any time even without a previous personal or family history

Somyos Kunachak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi jamesthob,As a matter of fact, keloids on the ears (around the area) is fairly common, even on isolated patient cases (patients only have keloids on this area but not on other areas). Patients who had infection or reaction from the stitches can be predisposed to keloid formation. Usually, removal also leads to recurrence and in our practice, we usually recommend patients to get steroid injection early on or low dose, localized radiation therapy to prevent this.

I've never had keloids, nor has my family, why did I get them behind each ear after otoplasty?

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I've never had keloids, nor has my family, why did I get them behind each ear after otoplasty?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

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