Treatment of Leukoplakia with Carbon Dioxide Laser and Excision: A Comparative Study.

Dr. Rajib Khadka; Dr. K. Anand; Dr. Sankalp Verma

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2017

Treatment of Leukoplakia with Carbon Dioxide Laser and Excision: A Comparative Study.

Dr. Rajib Khadka, Dr. K. Anand, Dr. Sankalp Verma

Abstract :

Background: Oral leukoplakia is one of the most frequently encountered potentially malignant disorders. Definitive treatment of leukoplakia is essential because of its recurrences and malignant transformation. Though there are variety of treatment options available but it is often reported that using high power laser has some advantages like less pain, swelling, prevention of metastasis, edema, less bleeding (dry surgery) and infection.

Aim: to compare the efficacy of carbon dioxide laser and scalpel excision in the treatment of oral leukoplakia

Study design: This prospective, double blinded, randomized clinical trial included sixty patients divided into two groups. Group A patients were treated using scalpel excision while carbon–di–oxide laser ablation was used for group B. Patients were followed for one month to observe any post operative complications.

Results: The prevalence of oral leukoplakia was more in young males. Homogenous leukoplakia on the buccal mucosa was the most common clinical variant seen in the study. Pain, swelling, sloughing, scarring and recurrence of the lesion were least in CO₂ laser treated cases compared to cases treated with scalpel excision.

Conclusion: CO2 laser supersedes conventional scalpel in terms of better intra–operative hemostasis and reduced scarring.