A new modality in the treatment of actinic cheilitis using the Er:YAG laser.
BACKGROUND
Cheilitis is a precancerous skin lesion most often affecting the lower lip. We describe a technique in which this disorder can be treated using Er:YAG laser vaporization. The Er:YAG laser wavelength at 2940 nm lies in a very strong water absorption peak; tissue interaction results mainly in vaporization with minimal heat conduction to adjacent tissue.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of a new modality in the treatment of actinic cheilitis with the Er:YAG laser.


METHODS
Between 2002 and 2005, 12 patients with actinic cheilitis were treated at our institute with the Er:YAG laser. All patients were cured with no recurrence to date, and none suffered postoperative complications.


RESULTS
Patients were men and women aged between 37 and 71 years. The healing duration varied from 7 to 30 days (mean 22.33+/-6.91 days) and the follow-up ranged from 8 months to 3 years (mean 23.16+/-9.48 months). No recurrences were detected in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the Er:YAG laser provides accurate tissue ablation, giving a very satisfactory cosmetic result, with a short healing period, no lip deformity and no sensation loss.
Orenstein
Arie
A
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Goldan
Oren
O
Weissman
Oren
O
Winkler
Eyal
E
Haik
Josef
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000601:surgery