[Keloid and hypertrophic scars].

[BACKGROUND] Keloid and hypertrophic scars develop most frequently in wounds with high skin tension and especially on the upper truncus. Both are characterized by an excessive dysfunctional collagen metabolism.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] The article presents data from research in current literature and discuss the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars.

[RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION] Patients that are undergoing elective surgery should be handled with surgical techniques that reduce wound closing tension. Patients who are at high-risk or show excessive scar development should follow standard treatment. First-line therapy is silicone sheeting and/or pressure. In case of minimal response, steroid injections should be started after two months. The patient must be re-evaluated for a surgical approach combined with conservative treatment if the result is unsatisfactory after 12 months.