Treatment of mucocele of the lower lip with carbon dioxide laser.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this report was to evaluate the outcome and complications of the treatment of numerous patients with mucoceles of lower lip by means of CO(2) laser vaporization.


METHODS
This study included 82 patients with biopsy-confirmed mucocele of the lower lip who were treated with CO(2) laser vaporization from January 1999 to December 2003; the data on recurrence and complications were collected.


RESULTS
There was a recurrence in 2 cases. Complications were rare, except for mild discomfort. One patient felt temporary numbness at the operative site. There was no bleeding and minimal scar formation.


CONCLUSIONS
CO(2) laser vaporization to treat the mucocele of the lower lip is effective and has few complications. Because the operative time is shorter than with the excisional method, it is especially good for children and for less cooperative patients with this lesion.
Huang
I-Yueh
IY
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chon Ho-Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Chen
Chun-Ming
CM
Kao
Yu-Hsun
YH
Worthington
Philip
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009078:Mucocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide