Prevention of Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Lichen Planus Using Laser: An Observational Study

Arora, Karandeep Singh; Bansal, Rahul; Mohapatra, Shreeyam; Verma, Akshay; Sharma, Sakshi; Pareek, Shubhangi

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2018.19.12.3635

Prevention of Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Lichen Planus Using Laser: An Observational Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, M. M. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.

² 2Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, SCB Dental College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.

³ Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Rajasthan Dental College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

⁴ Department of Public Health Dentistry, Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Bhud, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India.

⁵ Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubneshwar, Odisha, India.

10.31557/APJCP.2018.19.12.3635

Abstract

Objectives: The present observational study was conducted with an aim to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser in
management of homogenous oral leukoplakia (OL) and reticular oral lichen planus (OLP), so that these potentially
malignant disorders can be limited and further malignant transformation can be prevented. Further the assessment
of associated postoperative complications after laser therapy was also carried out. Study Design: Present study was
carried out using diode laser 810nm on 60 subjects, of whom 30 subjects were of homogenous OL and 30 subjects
were of reticular OLP aged between 20 – 60 years, the diagnosis of which was histopathologically confirmed. Results:
Of the 60 subjects none complained of pain during and immediately after surgery with no bleeding at any stage of the
procedure. By the end of 3rd day post operative most subjects reported no pain and swelling and very few subjects had
negligible pain and swelling when evaluated. On subsequent follow-up of 1,2 and 4 week(s) none of the subject reported
of pain, swelling or bleeding and it was noted that all the areas treated with laser had healed without scarring with no
signs of recurrence. Fibrosis was seen in two male patients and one female patient treated for OL and OLP respectively.
Conclusion: Patient compliance and contentment without any postoperative complications were observed to be of high
degree in the present study. Thus diode laser can be considered as a best alternative to conventional surgical treatment
modality in managing OL and OLP and preventing its further transformation.

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