Evaluation of lateral thermal damage and reepithelialization of incisional wounds created by CO2-laser, monopolar electrosurgery, and radiosurgery: a pilot study on porcine oral mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to compare lateral thermal damage (LTD) produced by CO(2)-laser, monopolar electrosurgery (MES), and radiosurgery (MRS) and its effects on the reepithelialization of oral mucosa incisional wounds.


METHODS
Five adult swine were submitted to standardized incisions at the tongue and gingiva by MES, MRS, CO(2)-laser and scalpel. Full-thickness specimens were harvested sequentially on days 1 and 3. All specimens were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, cut, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin to quantify LTD extent. Sections of day 3 were stained for Ki-67 to assess epithelial proliferation at the incision margins. A multiple linear regression model and an analysis of variance were used to determine the correlation of each instrument with LTD extent and Ki-67 expression respectively.


RESULTS
LTD was most extensive in the CO(2)-laser but did not differ between the MES and MRS groups. No statistically significant differences regarding reepithelialization were noted among the investigated instruments.


CONCLUSIONS
CO(2)-laser produced more extensive LTD, without evident impact on reepithelialization.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. our_schoinohoriti@yahoo.com
Ourania K
OK
Schoinohoriti
Evanthia
E
Chrysomali
Ioannis
I
Iatrou
Despina
D
Perrea
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D062326:Re-Epithelialization / Q000502:physiology*; D034421:Sus scrofa
D002245:Carbon Dioxide