Table 2.
GRADE assessment of the studies.
| Outcome | No. of studies | Study design | Risk of bias | Inconsistency | Indirectness | Imprecision | Publication bias | Overall certainty of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scar volume reduction | 34 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Possible | High |
| Scar height and pliability improvement | 28 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Moderate |
| Recurrence rate | 25 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Moderate |
| Pain and pruritus reduction | 22 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Unlikely | High |
| Adverse effects (e.g., skin atrophy, telangiectasia) | 30 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Moderate |
| Cosmetic appearance/patient satisfaction | 20 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Moderate |
| Combination therapy (TAC + 5-FU or laser- assisted TAC) | 18 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Possible | High |
| Alternative corticosteroid formulations (triamcinolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone) | 10 RCTs | Randomized trials | Serious | Serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Low |
| Laser-assisted corticosteroid delivery | 8 RCTs | Randomized trials | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Moderate |
| Microneedle and cryotherapy-assisted corticosteroid delivery | 6 RCTs | Randomized trials | Serious | Serious | Not serious | Serious | Possible | Low |