Combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical triamcinolone vs intralesional triamcinolone for keloid treatment: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

To compare the therapeutic effect of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser + topical triamcinolone (TA) with intralesional TA on keloids. Twenty-two participants were randomised into two groups: group A, treated with fractional CO2 laser + topical TA, and group B, treated with intralesional TA. The interventions were performed at every 4-week interval until the keloids were resolved or at the completion of 1 year. At each session, the scar volume, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) were assessed. Recurrence was observed for 1 year. The mean scar volumes and VSS scores were not significantly different between the two groups. After 1 year, the scar volume change in group B was greater than group A (86.5% vs 59.1%, P-value =.016). The mean VSS scores were significantly decreased in group A (8.0 ± 1.5 to 4.8 ± 1.6, P-value