2025/07/03 by Alasi, Mustapha, Ibrahim, Muhammad, Legbo, Jacob
#5-Fluorouracil #Keloid #Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale #Scar dimensions #Triamcinolone acetonide
paper · doi:10.71637/tnhj.v25i2.1101
Background: Keloids are excessive scar tissue deposited within and beyond the boundaries of the wound. In addition to aesthetic problems, keloids can be painful, itchy, and psychologically debilitating, presenting a significant therapeutic challenge. The study compared the efficacy and side effects of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide versus intralesional 5-fluorouracil in treating keloids located on the head and neck. Methods: This randomised prospective study, conducted between October 2020 and January 2022, involved patients with keloid scars on the head and neck. They were randomly assigned to receive either intralesional triamcinolone or 5-fluorouracil treatment over 14 weeks. Scar assessment was performed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and scar dimension measurements. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science, version 25.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Changes in the scar scores and dimensions were compared between the groups using the independent t-test. Results: Eighty-four patients with 90 keloid scars participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was 27.70 years (± 7.19 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.2. There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline POSAS and keloid dimensions between the groups. However, there were statistically significant differences in the changes of the Overall POSAS (p-value 0.03), POSAS Patient scale (p-value 0.03), height reduction (p-value <0.05), and length reduction (p-value 0.03) in favour of the triamcinolone group. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is more effective than intralesional 5-fluorouracil in treating keloid scars.