Novel Needle-type Electrocoagulation and Combination Pharmacotherapy: Basic and Clinical Studies on Efficacy and Safety in Treating Keloids

Background and Aim

Keloids are difficult to treat with a single treatment method. This study examined whether combining electroablation (a new needle-based electric cauterization technique) with drug injections (corticosteroids and 5-fluorouracil) is safe and effective for removing keloids. The study also explored how this combined treatment works at a biological level.

Methods

First, experiments were performed on pig liver tissue, which behaves similarly to human skin, to see how different energy levels and treatment times affected the size of the treated area.

Next, the combined treatment was tested in mice with transplanted keloid tissue to examine its effects on collagen buildup, cell growth, and blood vessel formation.

Finally, a small clinical trial involving six keloid patients was conducted. Scar severity was measured using standard scoring systems (VSS and POSAS) before treatment and one month after one treatment cycle.

Results

Using higher energy and longer treatment times created larger treatment areas and higher surface temperatures.

In mice, the combined treatment significantly reduced keloid size. It increased enzymes that break down collagen (MMP-1 and MMP-3), reduced collagen production (COL I and COL III), and slowed down blood vessel growth and cell multiplication.

In patients, scar severity scores improved significantly after treatment, and no serious side effects were observed.

Conclusion

The results show that combining electroablation with drug injections effectively reduces keloids by limiting collagen buildup, blood vessel formation, and excessive cell growth. This combined approach appears to be a safe and promising treatment option for keloid removal.

Keywords

Collagen; electroablation; keloid; laser ablation