title: Fibrolipoma of the lip treated by diode laser surgery: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several neoplasms of the adipose tissue can involve the soft tissues of the head and neck region. These neoplasms are mainly treated surgically and an accurate histological examination is mandatory for a precise diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of fibrolipoma involving the lower lip of a 43-year-old man, which was successfully treated by diode laser surgery. This approach allowed adequate resection of the neoplasm with minimal damage to the adjacent tissues, thus reducing post-surgical scarring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diode laser surgery for the treatment of benign lesions of the oral mucosa appears to be a convenient alternative to conventional blade surgery and has proved to be effective for the excision of fibrolipoma of the lip. The possibility of avoiding direct suture after excision is surely helpful when aesthetic areas, such as the lip, are surgically treated. For these reasons, and also considering the lower histological alteration of the specimen obtained with diode laser surgery if adequately used, the diode laser is undoubtedly a good alternative to conventional surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Surgery, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari, Italy. saveriocapodiferro@libero.it
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capodiferro
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maiorano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarpelli
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Favia
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