Evaluation of the role of short term application of topical steroids in wound healing

Aim: to evaluate the role of short term application of topical steroids in wound healing by suppression of over granulation,prevention of excessive inflammation and thus promotion of quick epithelialization and healing. methods: this descriptive study was conducted on 30 patients from april,2014 to august 2016at avicenna medical college,laser looks pmc lahore. patients were included in the studywho presented with slow or non-healing skin loss lesions after trauma or after burn. the skin loss lesions were between 1.5x 1.5 to 3.5 x3.5 cm size and less than 6 weeks old. results: out of 30 patients 21(70%) healed completely in two weeks' time with steroid cream dressings while 5(16.6%) healed in 4 weeks. in 2(6.6%) patients some debridement and skin grafting had to be done and 3(7.5%) developed thinning of the skin which got better after cessation of the treatment. out of 30 patients 5(16.6%) developed atrophy of granulation and depression in the wound due to application of steroid cream on non exuberant granulation. conclusion: 70% of the patients healed completely within two weeks of the commencement of the steroid application and 16.6% healed with a further two weeks application of the steroid cream. 6.6% patients needed some debridement and skin grafting. 7.5% patients developed thinning of the skin with prolonged application of the steroid cream. 16.6% developed atrophy of granulation.