Surgery on Children
Comparison between topical timolol and oral propranolol for the treatment of superficial infantile hemangioma
By Tasniya Tarannum, Abdullah Al Faisal and M. Kabirul Islam.
Abstract
Aims
Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign paediatric vascular tumors. In spite of good results in the management of infantile hemangioma with oral propranolol, it may cause systemic side effects in the long run. The use of topical timolol can minimize systemic side effects, and it is easy to apply in the paediatric age group. This study aimed to evaluate a safer, more effective, and more easily applicable drug for the treatment of infantile hemangioma.
Methods
It was a prospective comparative interventional study that was conducted in Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from May 2018 to September 2020. A total of 89 patients with superficial infantile hemangioma were selected purposively for this study who completed 6 months of follow-up after the initial treatment. They were randomly assigned to the topical timolol group (group A=44) and oral propranolol group (group B=45). Regression of size, change of color, adverse effects, and parent satisfaction regarding the mode of administration of drugs were statistically compared between the two groups.