Pilot Study of the Efficacy of 578 nm Copper Bromide Laser Combined with Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection for Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars

BACKGROUND Treatments including intralesional corticosteroid injection, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, and various laser therapies have had limited success for keloids and hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVE This trial evaluated the efficacy of a combination of 578 nm copper bromide laser and the more traditional intralesional corticosteroid injection for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with respect to scar color. METHODS Keloids or hypertrophic scars of 12 Korean patients were treated five times by the combined treatment at 4-week intervals. Clinical improvement was assessed by the physicians' global assessment (PGA) comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs, as well as 4 weeks after the last treatment. Erythema intensity was quantified using a mexameter. RESULTS Most scars showed significant clinical improvement in PGA and decreased erythema intensity after 5 treatments. All patients showed improvements in symptoms like pruritus. CONCLUSION The combined treatment is effective for keloids and hypertrophic scars, especially when the telangiectatic portion of the scars is prominent. The adjunctive use of 578 nm copper bromide laser decreased the telangiectatic side effects of an intralesional corticosteroid injection by reducing the vascular components of scars.