Comparison of 5 Fluorouracil and triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection in the management of keloid

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intralesional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone and in combination with triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) for treating keloids. Methodology: This descriptive comparative study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019 at Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences and Dr. Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi. Total 60 patients with keloid at different body part were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A was given 50mg/ml 5-FU intra-lesion while in Group B; in addition to 5-FU 50mg/ml (0.9 ml), 40 mg/ml triamcinolone acetonide (0.1 ml) was given intralesionally. The duration of treatment was 6 months during which injections were given at weekly intervals for four weeks, then twice a month for two months and then once a month until the keloid lesions in both groups assumed virtually the same level as that of surrounding tissue or for a maximum of 3 months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 35.97±8.28 years. Efficacy was significantly higher in group B as compared to group A (p=0.020). Conclusion: Patients who received intra-lesion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) showed better results in treatment of keloid as compared to 5- FU alone.