Comparing Combination Triamcinolone Acetonide and 5-Fluorouracil with Monotherapy Triamcinolone Acetonide or 5-Fluorouracil in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Keloids and hypertrophic scars cause physical and psychosocial problems. A combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) may enhance the treatment of pathologic scars, although the evidence base is limited. The authors compared the efficacy and complication rates of combination intralesional TAC and 5-FU with those of monotherapy intralesional TAC or 5-FU for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL were searched by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome was treatment efficacy (51% to 100% improvement). Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Of 277 articles screened, 13 studies were included, comprising 12 randomized control trials and one nonrandomized study. Six studies compared combination intralesional therapy versus monotherapy 5-FU, and nine studies compared combination intralesional therapy versus monotherapy TAC. The combined group demonstrated superior objective treatment efficacy compared with the monotherapy TAC group (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.22 to 5.35; I 2 = 0%; P < 0.00001) and monotherapy 5-FU group (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 2.21 to 7.87; I 2 = 0%; P < 0.0001). Telangiectasia was less frequent in combination therapy (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.52; I 2 = 0%; P = 0.0003) compared with monotherapy TAC. Combined intralesional TAC and 5-FU administration demonstrated superior treatment efficacy outcomes compared with monotherapy TAC or 5-FU. Patient-reported outcome measures should be incorporated in the design of future research to justify clinical recommendations. Combined TAC and 5-FU has demonstrated superior treatment efficacy outcomes compared to monotherapy TAC or 5-FU in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids.