Sewify El O, Hyjazie T, Efanov JI. Complications of auricular cartilage harvest in rhinoplasty: Keloid and epidermal cyst formation. World J Clin Cases 2025; 13(30): 109539 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i30.109539]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Omar El Sewify, Doctorate Student, Senior Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, 2325 Rue de l'Université, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Quebec, Canada. omar.elsewify@mail.mcgill.ca
Research Domain of This Article
Dermatology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Cases. Oct 26, 2025; 13(30): 109539 Published online Oct 26, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i30.109539
Complications of auricular cartilage harvest in rhinoplasty: Keloid and epidermal cyst formation
Omar Sewify El, Taliah Hyjazie, Johnny I Efanov
Omar Sewify El, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Quebec, Canada
Taliah Hyjazie, Faculty of Medicine and Health sciences, McGill University, Montreal H3G 2M1, Quebec, Canada
Johnny I Efanov, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Quebec, Canada
Author contributions: El Sewify O, Hyjazie T and Efanov JI designed the research study, performed the research, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Omar El Sewify, Doctorate Student, Senior Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, 2325 Rue de l'Université, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Quebec, Canada. omar.elsewify@mail.mcgill.ca
Received: May 15, 2025 Revised: June 16, 2025 Accepted: August 13, 2025 Published online: October 26, 2025 Processing time: 150 Days and 4.6 Hours
Abstract
Keloid scars and epidermoid cysts present unique challenges in plastic surgery, often requiring distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Keloid scars result from dysregulated wound healing characterized by collagen overproduction and inflammatory states. In contrast, epidermoid cysts are cutaneous lesions lined with keratinized epithelium, with the rare complication of development into squamous cell carcinoma. A rare clinical dilemma is when epidermoid cysts arise within keloidal scar tissue. In this case, effective management involves meticulous diagnostic approaches, including ultrasonography and histopathological examination, to identify coexisting cysts within scar tissue. In the few studies reporting this rare occurrence, various treatment protocols exist consisting of various combinations of surgical excision, intralesional corticosteroid injections, chemotherapeutic agents, laser therapy, radiotherapy, isotretinoin, and tranilast. As advancements in the comprehension and treatment of epidermoid cysts within keloid scars progress, customized therapeutic approaches provide promise for enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
Core Tip: This case report presents a rare co-occurrence of a keloid and epidermal cyst at the site of auricular cartilage harvest for rhinoplasty. Understanding the complexities and having a meticulous and individualized approach to its treatment, surgical intervention, and postoperative care is essential for optimizing surgical outcomes. This case report highlights the importance of a personalized approach, stressing the need to consider potential complications during surgical planning and patient counseling.
