Intralesional cryotherapy for treatment of keloid scars: patient-reported outcomes.

Abstract

Objective: Keloid scars are extremely difficult to treat with current therapy options, such as surgical excision and steroids, and have high recurrence rates. Intralesional cryotherapy is a relatively new treatment modality that uses a double-lumen needle to freeze the scar from the core, outwards. Evidence from the literature supports its use, with recurrence rates reported between 0-23%. The aim of this study was to assess patient-reported outcomes of keloid scar treatment with intralesional cryotherapy.

Method: All patients who had undergone intralesional cryotherapy, with a minimum follow-up period of six weeks were asked to complete a questionnaire. Patients were asked to rate the appearance of their scar and severity of their symptoms on a Visual Analogue Scale. They also reported any side-effects, complications and whether they would recommend the treatment.

Results: A total of 52 patients were included between 2017 and 2019. All patients reported an improvement in scar appearance and 91% of patients reported an improvement in pain, with an average 3.75-point reduction in pain scores. All patients would recommend the treatment. Hypopigmentation was the most frequently reported side-effect and was most common in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. A second treatment was required by three patients; all three had keloid scarring on the anterior chest and had previously had multiple courses of steroids.

Conclusion: The findings of our study appears to support the use of intralesional cryotherapy for the treatment of keloid scarring, with high patient satisfaction rates.