Intralesional Bleomycin Injection and Skin Hyperpigmentation: A Case Series of a Single-Center Experience With a Standardized Skin-Protective Protocol

Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that has a sclerosing effect on vascular endothelium. Small doses can be injected locally to reduce the size of various vascular malformations. Recognition that targeted intralesional injection carries the potential to cause hyperpigmentation, specifically in areas of skin trauma, and has led our department to implement a bleomycin skin-protective protocol. On review of cases performed following protocol implementation, no patients developed hyperpigmentation attributable to iatrogenic skin trauma. We present our bleomycin skin protection protocol to guide peer institutions in the initiation of similar quality improvement initiatives.