抄録
The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of CO2 laser irradiation on oral tissue problemsin children, especially to treat mucocele. This study was carried out in the pedodontic clinic of Tokyo Medicaland Dental Hospital for 7 years between 1995 and 2001. A CO2 laser was used on 29 subjects, of ages between0 to 15, having a mucocele on lip, lingual, or buccal mucosa. In each case, after administration of localanesthesia, the border of the mucocele was first incised around by a CO2 laser in 3 or 4 watt continuous mode.Thereafter, the mass of the mucocele was completely removed away from the adjoining normal tissue, withoutbreaking its wall. No cases required suturing. The results were as follows: 1. A mucocele of lip or lingualmucosa, with a rich blood supply, was efficiently removed, without bleeding, giving a clear operative fieldduring the operation; 2. The surgery itself was simple and less time-consuming; 3. After two or three weeksthe wound was completely healed without almost any discomfort in all patients; 4. Wound contraction andscarring were decreased or eliminated; 5. Reoccurrence of a mucocele was not seen, except for one case of alingual mucocele. In conclusion the use of a CO2 laser proved to be a very safe and effective mode for theremoval of mucocele, especially in small children.
