Results of a combination of bleomycin and triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars*

While treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars normally shows modest results, we found that treatment with bleomycin was more promising. The present study was divided into two parts. In the first part the aim was to show the results using a combination of bleomycin and triamcinolone acetonide per cm(2) (BTA). In the second part the objective was to determine the response to both drugs in large keloids that were divided into 1 cm(2) squares, treating each square with the dose previously used. In the first part of the study, the clinical response of 37 keloids ranging from 0.3 to 1.8 cm(2) treated with BTA were followed up over a period of 1- 2 years. 0.375 IU bleomycin and 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide were injected every 3 months. In the second part of the study we reviewed the clinical response in six patients with large keloids. The monthly dose administered never exceeded 3 IU of bleomycin. The first study showed 36 keloids (97.29%) softening after the first dose. In the second study, 5 showed different responses (the response was complete in the four smaller keloids). The largest keloid needed 9 doses to achieve an improvement of 70%. In conclusion, combined treatment with 0.375 IU of bleomycin and 4mg of triamcinolone acetonide to 1 cm(2) was considered to be an acceptable procedure for the treatment of keloids. The best results were obtained in keloids over 1 cm(2) or when divided into 1 cm(2) square areas. Larger series need to be performed in order to confirm these results..