M. A. Anwar2, R. Kholmatov1, F. Murad1, D. Bu Ali1, E. Kandil1 1Tulane University School Of Medicine,New Orleans, LA, USA 2Wayne State University,Detroit, MI, USA
Introduction:
Keloid or hypertrophic scar following thyroid surgery can cause substantial patient distress with diminished quality of life, and poses a significant challenge to treat. Herein we examined the efficacy of prophylactic external-beam radiation therapy (EBR) for prevention of keloid formation in high-risk patients undergoing thyroid surgeries.
Methods:
We reviewed our medical records between January 2013 and December 2015 to identify the patients with previous history of developing keloids who underwent thyroid surgeries at our institution. All the pertinent data on patients’ demographics, primary diagnoses, surgical procedures, radiation dosage, and outpatient follow-ups was collected.
Results:
Nine patients with history of keloid formation received external beam radiation therapy for keloid prophylaxis following thyroid surgeries during the study period. Radiation was initiated within 6 hours after surgeries. Average radiation dose was 1798 ±405 cGY. Patients were followed for an average of 14 ± 5.91 months. Only one patient, who underwent concomitant lateral and central neck dissection in addition to thyroid surgery, developed a keloid in less than 10% 0f her scar. In the remaining eight cases, no post-surgical keloid formation was observed and patients were satisfied with postsurgical scar.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of prophylactic EBR in high-risk patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Prophylactic EBR for prevention of keloid formation following thyroid surgeries is feasible and effective in high-risk patients. Further randomized prospective studies are warranted.