Abstract
For accurate surgical procedures of oral soft lesions, it is essential to prevent bleeding of the surgical site. High power diode laser gains attention recently as a new measurement because of being compact, portable and almost equivalent to the conventional Nd: YAG laser. We used high power diode laser device (3W) which was developed by Osada Electrics Industry Company. The cutting edge is relatively clear because of it's fine fiber tip (0.1mm spot size). The major advantages are more excellent hemostasis and minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissues. However, the weak point is unsuitable to dissect a lesion from around connective tissues. Therefore, all our laser procedures were performed in combination with using surgical scissors, mucoperiosteal membrane elevator. First, circumferential incision around each lesion is carried out by moving a laser spot and. created about 1.5mm-depth necrotized layer. Next, surgical scissors or mucoperiosteal membrane elevator is inserted into the necrotized layer and bluntly dissected away the lesion. If necessary, these procedures should be repeated. Following the extirpation, the wound is closed with interrupted sutures except ranulas. Our technique was used for 10 oral lesions consisted of 3 ranulas, 6 mucous cysts and a small carvenous hemangioma. The results may be summarized as follows: (1) By following our technique, we could completely remove 10 lesions without rupturing the cystic walls and a hemangioma. (2) This laser was useful for cosmetic procedures because of the minimal thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. (3) The laser wounds healed slower than ordinary blade. Clinically, however, they appear to heal with minimal post-operative pain and no scarring. (4) We feel that this diode laser is a suitable tool in treatment of oral soft lesions together with using surgical scissors and mucoperiosteal membrane elevator. However, care should be taken to avoid production of a char layer.
