Aim: One major challenge in treating head and neck oncologic patients is to achieve an acceptable recovery of physiologic functions compatible with the complete tumor excision. About to oral cancer, a multi-disciplinary approach is required, often including prosthetic rehabilitation. However, after tumor resection, some patients present a surgically altered anatomy incompatible with a prosthetic rehabilitation, unless soft-tissue recontouring is carried out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibilities and advantages of using diode laser (λ: 980 nm, Wiser®, Doctor Smile, Italy) in a post-oncologic patient requiring prosthetic rehabilitation. Materials and methods: a 72 year-old woman undergone partial resection of the tongue for Squamous Cell Carcinoma about 15 years ago, was referred to our Department for prosthetic rehabilitation. The patient presented partial mandibular edentoulism, defects in tongue mobility and a bridge of scar tissue connecting one side of the tongue to the alveolar ridge. A diode laser (λ: 980 nm, Wiser®, Doctor Smile, Italy) at parameters of 2 Watt operating in Continuous Wave was used to remove the fibrous scar tissue resulting from the hemiglossectomy, and to perform deepening of both lower buccal fornix and sublingual sulcus, thus re-establishing proper vestibular depth and ridge anatomy to allow implant supported overdenture. Clinical observations were carried out at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results: During surgery, the surgical site presented only minimal bleeding guaranteeing excellent operative visibility. No sutures were required. No pain or particular discomfort has been reported by the patient in the post-operative period. Satisfying re-epithelialization has been observed at 14 days and has been completed by 28. Conclusions: The diode laser 980 nm demonstrated to be a valuable aid in this particular case of pre-prosthetic surgery. The clinical outcome of the case herein presented is in accordance with literature findings about the usage of diode laser in oral soft tissue surgery.
SOFT-TISSUE MANAGEMENT USING DIODE LASER IN ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS: A CASE REPORT / Lollobrigida, M; Laurito, Domenica; Palaia, Gaspare; DE BIASE, Alberto. - In: PHOTOMEDICINE AND LASER SURGERY. - ISSN 1549-5418. - 30:(2012), pp. 498-498. (Intervento presentato al convegno European congress world federation for laser dentistry tenutosi a Rome nel 9-11 June 2011) [10.1089/pho.2012.9887].
SOFT-TISSUE MANAGEMENT USING DIODE LASER IN ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS: A CASE REPORT
Lollobrigida M;LAURITO, DOMENICA;PALAIA, GASPARE;DE BIASE, Alberto
2012
Abstract
Aim: One major challenge in treating head and neck oncologic patients is to achieve an acceptable recovery of physiologic functions compatible with the complete tumor excision. About to oral cancer, a multi-disciplinary approach is required, often including prosthetic rehabilitation. However, after tumor resection, some patients present a surgically altered anatomy incompatible with a prosthetic rehabilitation, unless soft-tissue recontouring is carried out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibilities and advantages of using diode laser (λ: 980 nm, Wiser®, Doctor Smile, Italy) in a post-oncologic patient requiring prosthetic rehabilitation. Materials and methods: a 72 year-old woman undergone partial resection of the tongue for Squamous Cell Carcinoma about 15 years ago, was referred to our Department for prosthetic rehabilitation. The patient presented partial mandibular edentoulism, defects in tongue mobility and a bridge of scar tissue connecting one side of the tongue to the alveolar ridge. A diode laser (λ: 980 nm, Wiser®, Doctor Smile, Italy) at parameters of 2 Watt operating in Continuous Wave was used to remove the fibrous scar tissue resulting from the hemiglossectomy, and to perform deepening of both lower buccal fornix and sublingual sulcus, thus re-establishing proper vestibular depth and ridge anatomy to allow implant supported overdenture. Clinical observations were carried out at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results: During surgery, the surgical site presented only minimal bleeding guaranteeing excellent operative visibility. No sutures were required. No pain or particular discomfort has been reported by the patient in the post-operative period. Satisfying re-epithelialization has been observed at 14 days and has been completed by 28. Conclusions: The diode laser 980 nm demonstrated to be a valuable aid in this particular case of pre-prosthetic surgery. The clinical outcome of the case herein presented is in accordance with literature findings about the usage of diode laser in oral soft tissue surgery.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
