Efficacy of photodynamic therapy combined with cross-punch technique for the treatment of keloid.

OBJECTIVE

Keloids are characterized by abnormal activation of fibroblasts and excessive collagen deposition. Keloids are notoriously difficult to treat effectively due to their high recurrence rate after therapy. Our study explored the use of the punch technique in conjunction with photodynamic therapy, a novel approach that may swiftly reduce keloid volume, promote collagen remodeling, mitigate inflammation and enhance the wound healing process.

METHODS

In our study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 47 keloid patients who were treated with cross-punch technique combined with photodynamic therapy (punch+PDT group), compared them with a control group of 42 patients who received cross-punch therapy alone (punch group). The visual Analog Scale (VAS) scoring system, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire and the subjective scoring of patients were implemented to assess the improvement rate at baseline (month 0) and 12-month follow-up (month 12).

RESULTS

The results demonstrated significant enhancements in both VAS scores and DLQI scores on month 12 when compared with those on month 0. Notably, the subjective scoring indicated a marked difference, with 93.62 % of patients in the punch+PDT group and 59.52 % in the punch group reporting good or excellent improvement.

CONCLUSION

Patients in the punch+PDT group had a significant improvement rate than those in the punch group.