Electrocoagulation and hazardous damage to a dental prosthesis.
We report the case of 50-year-old patient who experienced minor damage to a dental prosthesis after undergoing bipolar electrocoagualtion during micrographic surgery for scirrhous basal cell carcinoma of the cheek. The melting defect in the covering resin of the prosthesis was caused by heating through a channeling effect as the prosthesis served as an intraoral electrode. Keeping a complete record of dental implants and removing prostheses with metal anchors are recommended to prevent similar injuries for electrosurgery on the face.
University of Geneva, Dermatologie, Vevey, Switzerland. skaria@vtxnet.ch
Andreas M
AM
Skaria
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged