Keloids and hypertrophic scars: results with intraoperative and serial postoperative corticosteroid injection therapy.

BACKGROUND The management of keloids and hypertrophic scars continues to be controversial. Experience of treating 58 such lesions, 58.62% of which were recurrent, is presented. METHODS Each lesion was subjected to surgical excision with intra-operative local injection of triamcinolone acetonide, followed by repeat injection of the same drug at weekly intervals for 2-5 weeks depending on the symptomatic relief, and then monthly injections for 4-6 months. RESULTS Complete symptomatic relief was achieved in all patients within 5 weeks of surgery. Objective response in terms of no recurrence was noted in 91.9% of patients with keloids, and 95.24% of patients with hypertrophic scars at a mean follow-up of 30.5 months. Local or systemic complications were insignificant. CONCLUSION Because of promising results, further use and evaluation of this method of treatment is recommended for large, recurrent and complicated keloids and hypertrophic scars.