A CLINICAL STUDY IN MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC SCARS AND KELOIDS WITH INTRALESIONAL INJECTION OF BLEOMYCIN

Keloids and hypertrophic scars remain a nagging problem even with the emergence of multiple modalities in their treatment. The wide range of modalities used for their treatment also point out that no single treatment is definitively superior. AIMS: The aim of this study was to define the role of Bleomycin and to confirm its effectiveness in the management of keloids and hypertrophic scars. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical trial involving 40 patients with hypertrophic scars and keloids. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patients were followed for 1year in department of general surgery VIMS Bellary, treated with four monthly intralesional injections of Bleomycin. Assessment of the size of keloids and hypertrophic scars was done at the beginning, at the time of stopping the therapy and during the follow-up. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patients under 18 years were not considered suitable for this treatment; pregnant and women likely to become pregnant women were not enrolled in the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The response to treatment was divided into the following categories: <25 percent flattening=poor response, 26-50 percent flattening=fair response, 51-75 percent flattening=good response and >75 percent flattening = excellent response. RESULTS: Of the forty patients, 27(67.5%) showed excellent response, 6(15%) showed good response, 4(10%) showed fair response and 3(7.5%) showed poor response. There was complete resolution of symptoms in 24 patients (60%) and improvement in the other 16(40%). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids, the intralesional injection of Bleomycin is very effective and safe.