comparative histological study of healing following co2 laser and conventional surgical excision of oral leukoplakia

ABSTRACT

Twenty male patients ranged in age from 35-50 years and suffering from leukoplakia in the buccal mucosa; were selected to participate in this study. They were divided into two equal groups. In one group, the oral lesions were removed by co2 laser; and lesions of the other group were removed by ordinary surgical excision using scalpel. Biopsy specimens were taken from the removed lesions after 24 and 28 days. Tissue sections were prepared stained and examined to study the difference between healing in both types of wounds. The histological findings revealed that, the laser wound differed from the conventional wound. There was minimal damage to the adjacent tissue and a co-agulum of denatured protein was formed on the surface. The inflammatory reaction was less, fewer myofibroblasts were present and there was little wound contraction; less collagen was formed and epithelial regeneration was delayed and more irregular. Moreover, the lack of wound contraction and scarring after the use of laser; make it a preferable surgical tool for the removal of dysplastic epithelium affecting the oral cavity. This is particularly important where scarring might lead to interference with function; such as lesions situated near the comissure of the lips