Biopsy of the buccal mucosa in oral lichen planus: the traditional method versus the use of a new pressure forceps.
BACKGROUND
The authors designed a pressure forceps, called the "B forceps," for use in performing biopsies. They compared biopsy specimens taken with and without the aid of the B forceps from buccal mucosa of 84 patients divided equally into two groups, all of whom satisfied the World Health Organization's diagnostic criteria for oral lichen planus. They analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of using this instrument.


METHODS
The 42 patients in group A underwent a conventional biopsy (29 with a scalpel and 13 with a punch). The 42 patients in group B underwent a biopsy performed with the B forceps and a punch. The authors studied artifacts of fragmentation, pseudocysts, crushing, fissures and hemorrhages histologically in both groups.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences within group A between the subjects who had undergone either the scalpel or the punch biopsy. There were, however, significant differences between groups A and B. Group B experienced less fragmentation (P = .021), fewer fissures (P = .001) and fewer hemorrhages (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The new B forceps was a useful aid in the performance of biopsies. It improved visibility and reduced the time needed for the procedure. Biopsy specimens taken with the B forceps also had histologically fewer artifacts than did those taken without the B forceps.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique using the B forceps has several advantages, including speed, because the ischemia produced by the clamp stabilizes the tissue and increases visibility, facilitating dissection. The time needed for surgical removal thus is shortened.
Bermejo-Fenoll
Ambrosio
A
Department of Oral Medicine, University of Murcia, Spain.
López-Jornet
María Pía
MP
Jiménez-Torres
María José
MJ
Camacho-Alonso
Fabio
F
Orduña-Domingo
Albina
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D011312:Pressure; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013525:Surgical Instruments