EPIDEMIOLOGY OF KELOIDS AND HYPERTROPHIC SCARS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF NORTHERN INDIA

Abstract

BACKGROND Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign dermal bro-proliferative characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of brous tissue. They are more common in dark skinned people and certain areas are more prone for pathological scarring. This study was conducted to nd the epidemiology of keloids and hypertrophic scarring in outdoor patients of Plastic Surgery department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS This study was conducted in the a tertiary teaching hospital of Northern India, over a period of 18 months. The prospective study included all patients presenting to the plastic surgery OPD with keloids and hypertrophic scars. RESULTS One hundred seven patients (39 females and 68 males) with mean age 35.68 year were included. Pre sternum was the most common site, followed by torso, back and extremities. The most common cause was trauma (including minor trauma) which was found in 29 patients followed by post infective origin in 22 patients. Pain was not a major complaint most of the patients complained of pruritis. CONCLUSION This, an epidemiological study, was carried out in a tertiary hospital of northern India. The keloids and hypertrophic scars are more common in young males and most common cause being trauma and most commonly affected site is Pre-sternum. Itching is a common complaint though localized pain was complained by a few patients only.