Keloids have the tendency to keep coming back even after non-invasive treatment procedures. In such cases, you will be recommended to choose the most ideal treatment that will get rid of the keloids once and for all. Surgical excision of keloids are known to remove larger keloids that cannot be shrunk using just a steroid injection or any other non-invasive procedure. However, some people may get back the keloids even after surgery, and in that case you will be given an additional treatment that will prevent the keloid scars from returning back. Keloid excision is also suggested to a patient when they are non-responsive to any other treatment techniques.
Although surgery is a risky trick for removing keloids, it is the fastest and easiest technique. We say it's risky because cutting out a keloid can cause a surgery scar, where another keloid formation can be triggered. That's why keloid excision is often combined with other treatment methods such as steroid injections, lasers or radiotherapy. The procedure is mainly done using either of the two techniques;
- Direct excision - an invasive technique in which an incision is made on the keloid and all the excess scar tissue is removed using a scalpel
- Cryotherapy - a minimally invasive technique which uses extreme cold for freezing and destroying the abnormal tissue
After either one of the keloid excision treatment techniques is carried out, there is a possibility that you might need a reconstruction of the surgical site. Based on the area where keloids have formed and how far it has caused damage to the skin or cartilage, skin grafting or other types of reconstructive surgery may be needed for restoring the look of the surgical site.