[Keloids: epidemiological aspects and reasons for refusal of surgical treatment in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo)].

This population-based cross-sectional study sought to assess the epidemiology of keloids and the reasons for refusal of surgical treatment for them in 24 municipalities of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The study took 3 months (from March 1 through May 31, 2011) and enrolled 71 patients (43 females and 28 males). The keloids were situated on the ear (21%), chin and neck (20%), thorax (13%), cheek (12%), belly (11%), arm and forearm (6%), shoulder (6%), back (5%), thigh (3%) and leg (3%). The number of keloids per person averaged 1:7 (range: 1-5), that is, approximately 2. Overall, 19% were small (<5 cm longest diameter), 32% intermediate (5-10 cm), and 47% large (> 10 cm). Most patients (79%) did not plan plastic surgery, 44% for financial reasons (lack of money), 18% because they lacked of confidence in the surgery (no favorable prognosis, useless, unreliable), 15% because it would agggravate the lesions, 13% because of fear (dangerous treatment), and 5% because « keloids are a hereditary illness ».

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