A clinical study for the management of ear pinna keloid by ksharsutra and agnikarma

Abstract

Ear pinna keloid is a rare benign, dermal, fibro-proliferative growth characterized by excessive formation of collagen, without any malignant potential. It is one of the most challenging conditions to treat due to high relapse rate. Ksharsutra and Agnikarma are the potential therapies mentioned in Ayurveda for such conditions. Ksharsutra is used for excision, while use of Agnikarma after excision is considered to be effective in avoiding the relapse in conditions of benign outgrowths such as ear pinna keloid. In the present study 20 patients divided in two groups were studied. Group A (excision of keloid by Ksharsutra ligation; n = 10) and Group B (excision of keloid by Ksharsutra ligation followed by Agnikarma on granulation tissue; n = 10). Fisher Exact test was applied to see the risk reduction in relapse of keloid. Relative risk was 7.000 (95 % Confidence Interval: 1.043 to 46.971). This shows that there is statistically significant risk reduction for relapse of ear pinna keloid in patients treated by ksharsutra and Agnikarma as against ksharsutra alone.