Efficacy of Intralesional 5-Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone in the Treatment of Keloids

BACKGROUND: Keloids are a common problem with significant recurrence rates despite intralesional steroid treatment and multimodal therapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/steroid mixture to treat keloids over the past 7 years, comparing the results with use of steroid treatment alone. METHODS: Patient charts from 1999 to 2006 were reviewed. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: (1) 5-FU/steroid without excision; (2) 5-FU/steroid with excision; and (3) steroid treatment with excision. The percentage of lesion size reduction and symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 102 keloids were identified in a retrospective review. Patients who underwent the 5-FU/steroid combination with excision had a 92% average reduction in lesion size compared with 73% in the group of patients who did not receive 5-FU. Patients who received 5-FU/steroid without excision had an average lesion size reduction of 81%. Differences in complication rates were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Combination 5-FU/triamcinolone is superior to intralesional steroid therapy in the treatment of keloids. (Aesthetic Surg J 2009;29:40-46.)