Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser Ablation Followed by Intralesional Steroids on Keloids

ABSTRACT: Keloid is a difficult-to-treat condition and an ideal treatment modality is not available. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser is one of the modalities to treat keloids. AIM: To evaluate the effect of CO(2) laser ablation followed by intralesional steroids on keloids. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, single-center, uncontrolled, open study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients having 35 keloids were included in the study. Keloids were ablated or excised with CO(2) laser followed by intralesional steroid 3-4 weeks apart for 6 months. Results were evaluated after 6 months of stopping of intralesional steroids. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Fisher’s exact test was applied for obtaining difference in recurrence rate of regular and irregular patients. RESULTS: Thirteen patients followed up regularly for intralesional steroids. During 6 months of follow-up after stoppage of steroids, only two patients showed recurrence. Ten patients were irregular for intralesional steroids and seven of them showed recurrence. Difference in recurrence rate of regular and irregular patients was significant. CONCLUSION: Only CO(2) laser ablation is not sufficient for halting the pathogenesis of keloid formation.We therefore conclude that CO(2) laser followed by intralesional steroid is a useful therapeutic approach for the treatment of keloids; however, patients need to be observed for recurrence over the next 1 year.