Lack of reliable evidence for oral submucous fibrosis treatments.
METHODS
Searches were made for relevant studies using the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase and IndMED (bibliographic database of Indian biomedical journals). There were no language restrictions.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials were to be selected if they compared surgery, systemic or topical medicines, or other interventions, to manage the symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).


METHODS
Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted trial data. Disagreements were resolved by consultation with a third author. Attempts were made to contact study authors where necessary for clarification and for additional information. Because of limited poor quality data, only a descriptive summary of the results of the included trials was carried out.


RESULTS
Two trials, involving 87 participants, evaluated either lycopene in conjunction with intralesional injections of a steroid, and pentoxifylline in combination with mouth-stretching exercises and heat. There were no reports of toxicity to the interventions but some side-effects, which were mostly gastric irritation to pentoxifylline, were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of reliable evidence for the effectiveness of any specific interventions for the management of OSF is illustrated by the paucity, and poor methodological quality, of trials retrieved for this review.
Aziz
Shahid R
SR
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, New Jersey Dental School, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.