Postoperative Electron Beam Irradiation Therapy For Keloid: A Follow-up Study Of 257 Patients

Objective To explore the effectiveness of postoperative electron beam irradiation therapy for keloid. Methods 435 cases with keloid were treated by surgical removal and postoperative 20Gy electron beam irradiation from 2002 to 2007 and followed with telephone between 15 to 20 of the sixth month, 2007. Statistical analysis was performed and therapeutic outcome was evaluated. Results Of 435 cases, 257 cases were followed successfully, and the others were missed. The rate followed is 59.08%, and the rate missed is 40.91%. The overall recurrence rate was 2.72%. Higher post-treatment recurrence rates were noted with keloid forming at infected sites, high- tension and in patients with family history, however , there is not significance difference. Meanwhile, patient age, sex, keloid size and location had some relations to recurrence rate, but not significance. Conclusion The study shows that postoperative electron beam irradiation therapy is a kind of safe and effective method in inhibiting recurrence of keloid formation.