ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An out-patient surgical procedure in the paediatric age group is a tough task for a surgeon, more so when compounded with mentally challenging conditions like cerebral palsy. Every step involved, either administration of local anaesthesia or handling sharp surgical instruments around the face or achieving haemostasis, can be a challenge, with compromise on patient safety. Neither undue restraint nor general anaesthesia is advisable, considering the magnitude of the procedure. In such cases, a safe, rapid and effective technique that can be comfortably performed under topical anaesthesia without use of sharp instruments or needles would be an ideal option. The purpose of this paper is to highlight one such situation, where an intra-oral soft tissue tumor was safely and effectively ablated using diode laser, under topical anaesthesia in a child with cerebral palsy concurrent with Worster Drought syndrome. RESULTS: Topical anaesthesia provided adequate conditions to ablate the tumor. A bloodless field was achieved, with no need for sutures. The procedure was completed in less than half the time required for a conventional approach. Postoperative follow-up of 3 months showed complete healing with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Portable diode lasers are an effective tool for minor oral surgical procedures in paediatric population especially, children who are mentally challenged.
