USE OF CRYOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF KELOIDS

BACKGROUND. Numerous approaches are used to treat keloids, but none is ideal for all scars and recurrence after treatment is frequent. OBJEC TS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cryother apy for treatment of these scars. METHODS. Sixty-five lesions of vario us sizes and ages were treated with a hand-held liquid nitrogen spray unit, freeze times and number of sessions varied. Scar volume was meas ured before and after treatment. RESULTS. Complete flattening was achi eved in 48 scars (73%), most of which were less than 2 years old. Unac ceptable responses were seen in six scars. No recurrence was seen duri ng follow-ups ranging from 17 to 42 months. Side effects were limited to hypopigmentation and slight to moderate atrophy in three cases. CON CLUSION. Cryotherapy is an effective, low-risk approach to keloid trea tment associated with a low rate of recurrence.