Is it possible to repigment iatrogenic and traumatic hypochromic lesions? A case series using the MMP® drug delivery technique with 5-fluorouracil and bleomycin.

OBJECTIVES We present the results of 11 patients with hypochromic lesions treated with antifibrotic agents delivered through the MMP® technique. METHODS Eleven patients with hypochromic lesions because of external injuries were treated at a single clinic with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and/or bleomycin using the MMP® drug delivery technique. Treatment sessions were repeated at 30-day intervals until patient satisfaction. The primary outcome was repigmentation of the lesions, assessed independently by two dermatologists and by the patient. RESULTS The MMP® technique injected 0.048 mg/cm2 of 5-FU or 0.0028 U/cm2 of bleomycin. The accumulated 5-FU and bleomycin density per patient ranged from 0.02 to 0.77 mg and 0.0022 to 0.2800 U/ml, respectively. Patients were treated with 1 to 6 MMP® sessions with 5-FU (3 patients), bleomycin (6 patients), or both drugs (2 patients). After the last session, all patients had a significant improvement (>75%) of the lesions compared to baseline. There were no procedure-related short- or long-term adverse effects in any of the participants up to their last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS The injection of antifibrotic agents using the MMP® technique was effective and safe in the treatment of hypochromic lesions. This can be a new therapeutic option for these lesions.