Muhammad Bilal, Tahmeedullah, Irfanullah, Syed Asif Shah.
Clinical outcome of intralesional corticosteroid versus intralesional Verapamil in the treatment of post burn Keloid scars of the head and neck region.
Pak J Surg Nov ;29(4):263-8.

Objectives: To compare the relative eff ectiveness of the two treatment modalities for keloid scars and to identify a more eff ective, economical and safe treatment option currently used for keloid scars in our population. Study Design: Randomized control trial Sett ing and Duration: Outpatient department, Plastic Surgery Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar and Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from June 2009 to December 2012. Methods: A total of 144 patients of both sexes were included in the study. Th is study is a randomized, single blind, in which 72 patients were allocated to receive verapamil and other 72 patients to receive triamcinolone acetonide. Drugs were administered intralesionally in both groups. Improvement of the scar was measured in terms of reduction in scar height, change in colour towards normal, and improvement in texture, itching and tenderness of the scar. Results: Th e age of the patients ranged from 10-50 years. Out of them 94 (65%) were females and 50(35%) males. Th e average height of the scars, at the time of presentation, in both the groups were 2.6mm for verapamil and 3.78mm for steroid treated group and at the end of therapy the height were reduced to 1.60mm in both the groups. Scar discoloration was noted in both the groups and in verapamil treated group 30.6% scars turned to normal and in steroid treated group 26.4% scars faded to normal skin color. Th e scars became soft in 44 patients (61.1%) treated with verapamil and in 46 (63.9%) treated with steroid. Scar itch was relieved in all (100%) patients treated with verapamil and in 71(98.6%) patients treated with steroid. Conclusions: Intralesional verapamil may be an appropriate option in the treatment of keloids scars because it is a relatively safe drug, with ease of administration and good patient compliance.

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