Abstract
Pathological scars, including keloids and hypertrophic scars, are best managed by preventative strategies, such as occlusive silicone dressings or gels, or pressure therapies. For established lesions, intralesional corticosteroids, particularly triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) are first-line therapies. Combining TAC with intralesional 5-fluorouracil or non-pharmacological options such as lasers is generally more effective than monotherapy and may be better tolerated. Other treatments include cryotherapy, botulinum toxin type A, and more novel therapies including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the optimal combinations and dosage regimens.
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C Fenton, a contracted employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, and Y. N. Lamb, a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, declare no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to this article and are responsible for its content.
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Fenton, C., Lamb, Y.N. Preferably pre-empt pathological scars, or pick from a plethora of therapies. Drugs Ther Perspect 40, 22–26 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-023-01040-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-023-01040-x