Korean J Dermatol.  2008 May;46(5):604-610.

Therapeutic Effect of Bleomycin Intralesional Injection on Keloids & Hypertrophic Scars

• Park SY
• Kim SE
• Yoon TJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign growths of dermal collagen that usually cause major physical, psychological, and cosmetic problems. Numerous treatment modalities have been used to treat keloids and hypertrophic scars, but the optimal treatment has not been established.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether bleomycin intralesional injection has an therapeutic effect on both keloids and hypertrophic scars.
METHODS
Thirteen patients with keloids or hypertrophic scars were administered with intralesional injection of bleomycin (1.5 IU/ml). Scar height was measured, and scar pliability and erythema were scored at baseline and then monthly during the treatment and follow-up period. Patient's self-assessments of subjective symptoms (pruritus and pain) were also scored. Pre- and post-treatment mean values for scar height, scar pliability, erythema, pruritus and pain were statistically compared.
RESULTS
The clinical response was positive in all cases: highly significant flattening in one case, significant flattening in one case, moderate flattening in five cases and minimal flattening in six cases. The mean scores for pruritus and pain also improved. The observed side-effects were hyperpigmentation (two cases), hypopigmentation (one case) and skin infection (one case). No exacerbation was noted during follow-up period of 4 months.
CONCLUSION
Bleomycin intralesional injecton may be one of the effective and safe method of treating keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Keyword

Bleomycin; Hypertrophic scar; Intralesional injection; Keloid

MeSH Terms

Bleomycin
Cicatrix
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
Collagen
Cosmetics
Erythema
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation
Injections, Intralesional
Keloid
Pliability
Pruritus
Self-Assessment
Skin
Bleomycin
Collagen
Cosmetics