Predictors of the recurrence of surgically removed previous caesarean skin scars at caesarean section: A retrospective cohort study

Keloids, hypertrophic scars, and uterine fibroid development: a prospective ultrasound study of Black and African American women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between keloids, hypertrophic scars, and uterine fibroid incidence as well as growth. Both keloids and fibroids are fibroproliferative conditions that have been reported to be more prevalent among Blacks than Whites, and they share similar fibrotic tissue structures, including extracellular matrix composition, gene expression, and protein profiles. We hypothesized that women with a history of keloids would have greater uterine fibroid development.

DESIGN

A prospective community cohort study (enrollment 2010-2012) with 4 study visits over 5 years to conduct standardized ultrasounds to detect and measure fibroids ≥0.5 cm in diameter, assess the history of keloid and hypertrophic scars, and update covariates.

SETTING

Detroit, Michigan area.

PATIENTS

A total of 1,610 self-identified Black and/or African American women aged 23-35 years at enrollment without a previous clinical diagnosis of fibroids.

EXPOSURE(S)

Keloids (raised scars that grow beyond the margins of the original injury) and hypertrophic scars (raised scars that stay within the bounds of the original injury). Because of the difficulties in distinguishing keloids and hypertrophic scars, we separately examined the history of keloids and the history of either keloids or hypertrophic scars (any abnormal scarring) and their associations with fibroid incidence and growth.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Fibroid incidence (new fibroid after a fibroid-free ultrasound at enrollment) was assessed using Cox proportional-hazards regression. Fibroid growth was assessed using linear mixed models. The estimates for the change in log volume per 18 months were converted to the estimated percentage difference in volume for scarring vs. no-scarring. Both incidence and growth models were adjusted for time-varying demographic, reproductive, and anthropometric factors.

RESULT(S)

Of the 1,230 fibroid-free participants, 199 (16%) reported ever having keloids, 578 (47%) reported keloids or hypertrophic scars, and 293 (24%) developed incident fibroids. Neither keloids (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 0.77, 1.40) nor any abnormal scarring (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.38) were associated with fibroid incidence. Fibroid growth differed little by scarring status.

CONCLUSION(S)

Despite molecular similarities, self-reported keloid and hypertrophic scars did not show an association with fibroid development. Future research may benefit from the examination of dermatologist-confirmed keloids or hypertrophic scars; however, our data suggest little shared susceptibility for these 2 types of fibrotic conditions.

Predictors of the recurrence of surgically removed previous caesarean skin scars at caesarean section: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Caesarean skin scars (CSS; hypertrophic scars and keloids) are very stressful for women and treatment strategies vary. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the outcome of surgical excision of CSS during caesarean section (CS). The study aims to determine the rate of recurrence and risk factors of recurrence for surgically removed CSS.

METHOD

This is a retrospective cohort study that used STROBE guidelines. Pfannenstiel incisions of 145 patients were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: recurred (group 1, n = 19) and non-recurred group (group 2, n = 126). The groups were compared.

RESULTS

The rate of recurrence of CSS was 13% in the total cohort (19/145), one of the main outcomes of the study. While emergency CS was performed for 12 patients in group 1 (63%), CS was carried out in 25 patients in group 2 (20%); this difference was significant (P = 0.001). Before surgery, white blood cell and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in group 1 (P = 0.014 and P = 0.023, respectively). There were 11 dark-skinned women (26%; Fitzpatrick type 4) in group 1 and 31 (74%) in group 2. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.031). As the other main outcome, emergency CS could be accepted as a risk factor for recurrence in the multivariate regression analysis (P = 0.060; odds ratio = 5.07; 95% confidence interval = 0.93-17.51).

CONCLUSION

The rate of recurrence of surgically removed previous CSS at CS is promising without adjunct therapy. Emergency CS was found to be a risk factor for recurrence.

LAY SUMMARY

Background Caesarean skin scars (CSS; hypertrophic scars and keloids) are very stressful and are generally itchy and painful for women. Treatment strategies vary. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the outcome of only surgical excision of CSS scars during caesarean section (CS). The issue being explored There are few data in the literature for CSS in the lower abdomen. These scars can be removed during the second or third CS, but the results are not known exactly. How was the work conducted? In our clinic, 145 patients with CSS were given a CS and their scars were removed at the same time. While most of these scars were reported as hypertrophic by pathological examination, some were reported as keloid. At the earliest, one year after surgery, the rate of recurrence was found to be 13%. What we learned from the study Asymptomatic patients who are planning another pregnancy and do not want to receive any other radiotherapy or steroid injection therapy can wait to remove their CSS at the next CS, especially elective CS with or without adjunct therapy. Emergency CS was found to be a risk factor for the recurrence of these scars.