Evaluation of various methods of treating keloids and hypertrophic scars: a 10-year follow-up study.

An attempt was made to assess the value of beta radiation alone or in combination with surgery, and of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in treating 100 keloids and hypertrophic scars in 65 patients. Beta radiation alone was found to be effective in the eradication of symptoms (55% symptomatic relief), while results in the reduction of size of lesions have been poor (11% success rate). Surgery combined with postoperative beta radiation therapy yielded a 67% success rate. The success rate was 75% when radiation was delivered within 48 h of surgery. Preoperative radiation was found to be of no advantage. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide produced symptomatic relief in 72% and complete flattening in 64% of the lesions.