Keloid therapy: A neoteric comparative study

Background Keloids are considered disorders of fibroproliferation characterized by accumulation of collagen fibers in hypodermis and dermis, caused by inflammation, surgery, and trauma. Objectives The main goal of the study was to approach a better modality for the treatment of keloids by comparing the effects and the side effects of intralesional cryotherapy and intralesional injection of bleomycin. Methods This interventional, comparative clinical trial was conducted on 60 cases and was divided equally into the group (A), combined group who were subjected to intralesional bleomycin followed by cryotherapy in the same session, group (B) who were subjected to intralesional injection of bleomycin, and group (C) intralesional cryotherapy. All cases were subjected to clinical examination, complete history taking, dermatological examination, examination, and evaluation of scar lesion using the Vancouver scar scale. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in pliability among the combined group. Also, pliability decreased in the bleomycin group and cryotherapy, but this decrease wasn't statistically significant. Our results revealed that there was a statistically significant decrease in lesion height among all the studied groups, but the decrease was more among the combined group. Conclusion Intralesional cryotherapy was effective as intralesional bleomycin. Combined therapy was a valid and more effective technique with few adverse effects than either alone for keloids as it achieved a decrease in volumes of scars or accompanied symptoms.