A Novel Method of Steroid Delivery to Improve the Efficacy of Intralesional Injection in Keloid Treatment

BACKGROUND Keloids are a chronic disease and cause pain, pruritus, and limitation of motion. Intralesional corticosteroid injection is the first-line treatment, but its effects can be limited, even with repeated injections. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of a tunneling method of corticosteroid injection compared with conventional intralesional injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of keloid patients treated with intralesional corticosteroid injection by conventional and tunneling methods. RESULTS A total of 119 cases of keloid were included in the study. Among 78 patients treated with 20 mg/mL triamcinolone, the Investigators' Global Assessment effectiveness score and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS) score were significantly higher in the tunneling group than the conventional group at 1 month. At 6 months, the tunneling group showed significantly higher effectiveness in the OSAS score than the conventional group. In the tunneling group, the interval between treatments was significantly longer than in the conventional group. The occurrence of side effects was lower in the tunneling method group than in the conventional method group. CONCLUSION This study reveals the benefits of the tunneling method over the conventional method for therapeutic effect and side effects in keloid treatment.