BACKGROUND. Hypertrophic scars and keloids may complicate wound healing sec
ondary to trauma or surgery. A variety of treatment regimens have been used
with a range of success.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this paper is to report the use of 5-fluorouracil
(5-FU) intralesionally in treatment of inflamed hypertrophic scars, both a
s an individual agent as well as in conjunction with low-dose intralesional
corticosteroids plus pulsed dye laser therapy.
METHODS. The author's 9-year experience in the use of this agent in treatin
g hypertrophic scars is summarized, and case reports are used to demonstrat
e its efficacy at 50 mg/cc as well as mixed with Kenalog (1 mg/cc) plus con
comitant use of the pulsed dye laser.
RESULTS. Frequent initial injections (once to thrice weekly) were found to
be more efficacious with decreasing frequency (weekly to monthly) during a
period of stabilization and resolution of the scars. The combination of 5-F
U and Kenalog appeared to be more effective and less painful. The addition
of the pulsed dye laser treatments simultaneous with injection therapy was
found to be most effective.
CONCLUSION. The use of 5-FU intralesionally for treatment of hypertrophic s
cars appears to be both effective and safe. Further study is warranted.