ABSTRACT
Cryosurgery is a therapeutical approach that uses freezing to obtain a tissue inflammatory or destructive response. It has been successfully used for both cutaneous and oral conditions. The characteristics of oral mucosa like humidity and smoothness makes it an ideal site for this approach. Oral submucous fibrosis is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa, with areca nut chewing being the primary causative agent. Leukoplakia is a potentially malignant lesion associated with excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Although there are no specific treatment modalities to prevent recurrence, abandoning habits can decrease the chance of recurrence, as well as the transfiguration into malignant tumors of these disorders. However, with the advent of cryosurgery, oral surgeons are provided with a new modality for treating oral potentially malignant disorders. This case report highlights the pioneering effect of nitrous oxide cryosurgery in treating two cases of oral submucous fibrosis with leukoplakia and oral leukoplakia respectively showing promising results during follow-up.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged, 80 and over , Cryosurgery/methods , Cryosurgery/therapeutic use , Leukoplakia, Oral/diagnosis , Leukoplakia, Oral/surgery , Leukoplakia, Oral/therapy , Male , Oral Submucous Fibrosis/classification , Oral Submucous Fibrosis/diagnosis , Oral Submucous Fibrosis/surgery , Oral Submucous Fibrosis/therapyABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of 810-nm diode LASER in the management of patients with oral leukoplakia. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 cases diagnosed clinically and histopathologically as leukoplakia were included in the present study. All the cases were treated using 810-nm diode LASER at a power of 5 watts and followed up for 3 months and assessed for pain and healing post-operatively. Results: All the lesions healed within duration of 3-4 weeks without scarring. Complications or recurrence has not been noticed in any of the patients except for mild pain during follow up period. Conclusion: Patient acceptance was found to be high using 810-nm diode LASER without compromising health and function. Thus usage of diode LASER may indeed be the best choice in the management of oral leukoplakia.