A prospective randomized study comparing incision and curettage with injection of triamcinolone acetonide for chronic chalazia

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection and incision and curettage (I&C) in the treatment of chronic chalazion. METHODS: Patients with chronic chalazion were randomized in two groups. The patients in the TA received an intralesional injection of TA and patients in the I&C underwent I&C. The patients were followed up 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 45 days after the procedures. We defined success as 90% regression in the size of the lesion. RESULTS: There were 26 patients in the TA and 25 patients in the I&C enrolled in this study. Complete resolution was achieved in 16 patients (61.5%) in the TA group and 21 patients (84%) in the I&C (P = 0.072). Sex, initial size, and chalazion location did not influence treatment success in either group (P > 0.05). Lesion recurrence occurred in 9 patients (34.61%) in the TA group and 2 (8%) in the I&C (P = 0.04). The average times to resolution were 8.8 ± 5.6 and 5.1 ± 4.5 days in the first and second groups, respectively (P = 0.03). Drug deposition occurred in 24 (92.3%) patients in the TA group, and ecchymosis occurred in 14 (56%) patients in the I&C (P = 0.004) group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) in the TA group and visual acuity (VA) in both groups remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Both TA injection and I&C modalities are effective in the treatment of chronic chalazia. Advantages of I&C in comparison to TA include less recurrence, shorter duration of complications, and a higher success rate.