Laser-assisted topical steroid application versus steroid injection for treating keloids: A split side study.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Laser Therapy
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Keloid scar treatment commonly involves intralesional corticosteroid injections or fractional lasers.
• Combining ablative fractional laser therapy with occluded topical corticosteroids enhances therapeutic outcomes.
• This synergistic approach integrates two effective scar treatment modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of combined fractional ablative laser and occluded topical corticosteroids against standard intralesional steroid injections for keloid treatment.
• To evaluate a novel drug delivery method for topical steroids in keloid management.

Main Methods:

• Thirty patients with keloid scars were included in a split-face study design.
• One side received intralesional corticosteroid injection; the other underwent fractional ablative 2940 nm Er: YAG laser followed by occluded topical steroid cream.
• Four treatment sessions were conducted at 4-week intervals, with assessments using photography and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).

Main Results:

• Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement in Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores.
• The mean VSS decreased from 6.9 ± 1.9 pre-treatment to 2.63 ± 2.09 for injections and 2.07 ± 2.02 for laser-treated sides.
• No significant difference in VSS improvement was observed between the two treatment methods.

Conclusions:

• While intralesional steroid injection is standard for keloid treatment, fractional laser-assisted topical steroid delivery presents a viable alternative.
• This combination therapy offers a potentially safer and more aesthetically pleasing option for managing keloid scars.
• The study highlights the potential of laser-mediated drug delivery for improved scar treatment outcomes.