Background: A keloid arises due to excessive production of collagen and fibroblasts in the dermis as an abnormal healing response to skin injury. Unlike hypertrophic scars, it grows beyond the original margins of the scar. The exact pathogenesis is still unclear. It is due to either excessive production or decreased degradation of collagen fibers. Some molecular abnormalities are incorporated such as the excess production of growth factors and inactivation of pro-apoptotic genes. Keloids are difficult to treat and the ideal treatment modality isn't yet identified. A wide range of treatment modalities have been used as intralesional injections, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, surgical excision, occlusive dressing, and compression therapy. Intralesional verapamil has been successfully used in the management of keloid and hypertrophic scars. It acts through inhibition of the synthesis of extracellular matrix, reduction of fibrous tissue production, inhibition of IL‐6, VEGF, TGF‐β1 and induction of fibroblast procollagenase synthesis and apoptosis.
Methods: PubMed, Google scholar and Science direct were searched using the following keywords: Verapamil and keloids management. The authors also screened references from the relevant literature, including all the identified studies and reviews, only the most recent or complete study was included.
Objective: Evaluate of the potential role of verapamil in keloids management.
Conclusion: Intralesional verapamil has a lower risk of side effects than standard corticosteroid injections for treating keloid and hypertrophic scars.