EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO- FREQUENCY ABLATION IN THE TREATMENT OF KELOIDS AND HYPERTROPHIC SCAR- A SHORT DURATION INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Sanjay Nathmal Agrawal1, Saraswatirani Shirish Pawar2, Virendra Vijay Saoji3, Bhushan Jairam Telhure4

BACKGROUND
None of the therapeutic options for the treatment of keloids has been found completely effective and satisfactory. A radiofrequency ablation can be new treatment modality in keloid and hypertrophic scar.
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical safety and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) in keloid and hypertrophic scar.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 25 patients who were suffering from keloids. All patients have subjected to 5 sessions of RF one week apart. Assessment of the scar volume and both objective and subjective parameters has been performed before and after completion of the sessions.
RESULTS
The study shows a volume reduction of 53.05 %. There was a significant reduction of keloid pliability, height, and erythema compared with baseline. Patients reported a significant reduction of their subjective symptoms compared with baseline. Some of the patients mentioned about pain after the procedure, none of the patients reported about infection, nor bleeding after the RF procedure. In some of the patients, post-procedure side effects were observed as post-treatment pain in 7, Blistering in 3, Ulceration in 2 and no side effect in 13.
CONCLUSION
Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction is an effective treatment modality for keloids. It is an easy procedure with the acceptable cosmetic outcome and less rate of recurrence.
KEYWORDS
Keloid, Radiofrequency Ablation, Treatment Modality for Keloid, Hypertrophic Scar

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