ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Keloids and hypertrophic scars represent abnormal wound responses. These occur most commonly in predisposed individuals. Keloids are benign tumors that arise from scar tissue and grow beyond the borders of the original scar (Figure 37.1). The formation of keloids and hypertrophic scars typically occurs following some form of trauma, whether intentional or not. This may include surgery, burns, trauma, inammation, and/or infection. However, some keloids may form spontaneously, without any apparent predisposing trauma. Keloids are characterized by scar tissue that extends beyond the original dimensions of a wound, while hypertrophic scars maintain size within predictable dimensions of the original wound.
