Prevention of thyroidectomy scars in Korean patients using a new combination of intralesional injection of low-dose steroid and pulsed dye laser starting within 4 weeks of suture removal.
BACKGROUND
Regulation of inflammation during the wound healing process reduces scar formation at the injury site.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of intralesional injection of low-dose steroid with pulsed dye laser on healing of early postoperative thyroidectomy scars.


METHODS
Twenty Korean women with thyroidectomy scars were enrolled. All were treated with an intralesional injection of low-dose steroid (2 mg/mL) and 595-nm pulsed dye laser starting within 4 weeks of suture removal. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Global Assessment Score (GAS), and Patient Satisfaction Score were used in this evaluation.


RESULTS
Average VSS scores were significantly lower after treatment. The GAS also indicated better cosmetic outcomes after steroid injection in the laser treatment group than after laser treatment only.


CONCLUSIONS
Early postoperative intralesional injection of low-dose steroid and pulsed dye laser treatment is effective and safe.
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea.
Han-Won
HW
Ryu
Ji-Hyoung
JH
Cho
Kyu-Suk
KS
Lee
Jae-We
JW
Cho
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone