Comparison of the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and 5-fluorouracil tattooing for the treatment of keloids.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars and keloids may complicate wound healing secondary to trauma or surgery. A variety of treatment regimens have been used for treatment of keloids.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) tattooing and intralesional steroid for treatment of keloids.

METHODS: In this 44-week, double-blind, clinical trial, 40 patients were randomized into two study groups. Patients in group 1 were given intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), and patients in group 2 were treated with 5-FU tattooing; both groups received treatment every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Lesions were assessed for erythema, pruritus, height, surface, and induration at baseline (initiation of treatment) and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 20, 28, 36, and 44. All patients had complete blood count, liver function tests, and renal function tests before treatment and at week 20.

RESULTS: All the patients completed the study. At the 44-week follow-up visits, both groups showed improvement in all parameters, but improvement was more significant in the 5-FU group (p < .05). No side effect was detected in either of the groups.

CONCLUSION: 5-FU tattooing was more effective than intralesional TAC for the treatment of keloids.