Intralesional cryosurgery for the treatment of keloid scars following cochlear implant surgery and removal of cholesteatoma

The development of hypertrophic scars and keloids is a relatively common complication of different otologic procedures involving incision of the skin behind the ear. This case report aims to describe the successful treatment of keloids that developed following ear surgeries that have been performed via a retro-auricular approach (cochlear implantation and the removal of cholesteatoma) by an intralesional cryosurgery method. Two patients who were previously operated for an extensive pediatric cholesteatoma and one patient who underwent a cochlear implant surgery have developed large keloids at the radix helix. The keloids were treated under local anesthesia by the intralesional cryosurgery method. Over a 6-month period, the scars gradually flattened and became paler and the clinical symptoms of itchiness, pain, and tenderness have significantly been reduced. No complications were documented, and there were no recurrences in a follow-up period of 30 months. This case report demonstrates that intralesional cryosurgery provides the surgeon with an effective method to treat keloid scars following the removal of cholesteatoma or cochlear implantation, thus improving the quality of life and body image and enabling the patients to use the implanted device in an adequate and satisfactory way.

Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.