A Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Single Fraction of 9.5 Gy Versus 10 Gy for Ear Keloids.

Background: The optimal radiotherapy doses for postoperative treatment of ear keloids are currently a topic of debate.

Objective: The authors compared the efficacy of 9.5-Gy and 10-Gy single-fraction electron beam radiation therapy after surgical excision and evaluated the impact of radiation timing on outcomes.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted on patients with ear keloid who underwent surgical excision and postoperative electron beam radiotherapy between May 2021 and June 2024. Patients were divided into groups based on radiation dose (9.5 vs 10) and timing (within 8 hours vs 24 hours postoperatively). Recurrence rates and complications were also compared.

Results: The study included 182 patients (21 men and 161 women). The overall recurrence rate was 3.3% (6/182). The 10-Gy group had a significantly lower recurrence rate than the 9.5-Gy group (0.81% vs 8.47%; p = .014). Radiation timing did not significantly influence recurrence rates (2.59% vs 3.80%, p = 1). Complications were not significantly different.

Conclusion: A postoperative single dose of 10 Gy is the most effective low-dose single fractional electron beam radiotherapy for preventing ear keloid recurrence. Once administered within 24 hours after surgery, the timing of radiotherapy has no significant impact on treatment outcomes.