Abstract:

Wu Xiaoyan*, Fan Hongmei, Chen Xiaodong, Xu Pan, Yao Xiaodong. *Department of Dermatovenereology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China Corresponding author: Chen Xiaodong, Email: dermatochen@163.com 【Abstract】 Objective To compare the efficacy of intralesional glucocorticoid injection with a needle-free injector versus an ordinary injector for the treatment of keloid. Methods A total of 60 patients with keloid were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups by using a random number table to receive intralesional injection of compound betamethasone with a needle-free injector （n = 31） or an ordinary injector （n = 29）. The injection was given at a dose of 0.2 ml/cm3 once every 3 weeks for 3 sessions. Parameters for therapeutic efficacy were assessed, adverse reactions were recorded, and clinical pictures were taken before and after each treatment. Statistical analysis was carried out by the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test with the SPSS 19.0 software. Results Compared with the ordinary injector group, the needle-free injector group showed significantly different injection time during the first and second treatment （U = 299.000, 773.500, respectively, both P = 0.000）, as well as duration of pain after the first injection （U = 730.000, P = 0.003）. After three sessions of treatment, there was a significant difference in the volume, height, hardness of keloid, scores for pain, itching and appearance, and number of injection points between the needle-free injector group and ordinary injector group （U = 295.000, 336.500, 264.000, 464.000, 451.500, 308.000, 233.500, P = 0.001, 0.007, 0.000, 0.041, 0.043, 0.003, 0.001, respectively）. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups （all P > 0.05）. Moreover, the interval for lesion recurrence was significantly shorter in the needle-free injector group （11.8 days, 95% CI: 10.96 － 12.6 days） than in the ordinary injector group （21.2 days, 95% CI: 13.96 － 28.45 days）. Conclusion Compared with the ordinary injector, the needle-free injector shows better efficiency for the treatment of keloid with decreased difficulty in injection and improved compliance in patients.