Abstract
Four patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma were treated with Nd-YAG or KTP laser at Osaka University Medical School Hospital from September 1996 to August 1997. The primary sites consisted of three tongues (T1 N2 bMO, T2 NOMO, T3 N2 bMO) and one floor of mouth (T1 NOMO). The resection beds were left open without any reconstruction and patients did not complain of any severe symptoms. The laser surgery for oral cavity malignancies is a useful and advantageous method because of 1) no need of reconstruction, 2) wider safety margin and little postoperative pain, 3) early detection of recurrence, 4) good swallowing and speech function, and 5) less invasive. This method is indicated for locarized oral cavity malignancies without skin nor bone invasions, elder patients, patients with severe complications, and patients who want only to keep minimum comunication with their friends and family.
