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. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative intralesional injection of low-dose steroid and pulsed dye laser treatment is effective and safe.
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. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative intralesional injection of low-dose steroid and pulsed dye laser treatment is effective and safe.