Surgical Excision
The procedure to remove a hypertrophic scar from the ear is called surgical excision or scar excision. This is the primary and most direct method for removing these lesions 1, 2.
Terminology and Procedure Types
Surgical excision is the standard term used across dermatology and plastic surgery literature for removing hypertrophic scars from the ear. The specific technique may vary based on scar characteristics:
- Simple excision with primary closure - for smaller scars
- Wedge resection - when the scar involves a significant portion of the ear, followed by primary closure or local flap repair 3
- Core excision (such as five-blade core excision) - a specialized technique for keloid scars that removes the central scar tissue 2
- Excision with flap repair - for larger lesions where primary closure isn't feasible 3
Important Clinical Distinction
It's critical to differentiate between hypertrophic scars and keloid scars on the ear, as this affects both terminology and treatment approach. While both involve excessive scar tissue, keloids extend beyond the original wound boundaries and have much higher recurrence rates (averaging 20.3%) 4. The ear is a particularly common site for keloid formation, especially following ear piercing 4.
Treatment Context
Surgical excision alone is rarely sufficient for ear scars, particularly keloids. The evidence strongly supports combination therapy:
- Excision + postoperative radiotherapy (typically 4 Gy for 5 consecutive days) 2, 5
- Excision + intralesional corticosteroid injection (triamcinolone acetonide) 5, 1
- Excision + pressure therapy for 6 months 2
- Excision + silicone gel application 5
The 2023 and 2025 studies demonstrate that comprehensive approaches significantly reduce recurrence compared to excision alone 5, 2.
Common Pitfall
Simply calling it "scar removal" or "scar revision" is less precise. The specific procedural term is "surgical excision" or "scar excision," which may be modified by the technique used (e.g., "wedge excision," "core excision").