Abstract
Interventional carbon dioxide laser surgery is the preferred method to treat oral
precancerous lesions and early invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Little is
known, however, about the complications that patients experience after such treatment.
We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 82 patients with new dysplastic
oral lesions or early invasive oral SCCs treated by laser surgery in the maxillofacial
unit at Newcastle General Hospital. The most common postoperative complications were
pain for more than two weeks after operation (n = 28), bleeding (n = 4), difficulties with speech (n = 5), paraesthesia of the lingual nerve (n = 17), difficulty swallowing (n = 2), obstructive swelling of the submandibular gland (n = 22), and tethering of the tongue (n = 10). Overall, 78% of patients had one or more complication. In the absence of randomised
controlled trials, this study provides the best available evidence for complication
rates following interventional surgery. In addition to aiding in the preoperative
counselling of patients, the data will help to inform and advise patients particularly
during the immediate postoperative period.
Keywords
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References
- Factors affecting carbon dioxide laser treatment for oral precancer: a patient cohort study.Lasers Surg Med. 2009; 41: 17-25
- Interventional laser surgery: an effective surgical and diagnostic tool in oral precancer management.Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002; 31: 145-153
- Management of potentially malignant disorders: evidence and critique.J Oral Pathol Med. 2008; 37: 63-69
- Complications of CO2 laser procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery.Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2004; 16: 289-299
- Lasers in oral and maxillofacial surgery.Dent Clin North Am. 2000; 44: 851-873
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 03, 2012
Accepted:
November 15,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
