Pentoxifylline in patients with oral submucous fibrosis-a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
As far as research regarding any disease is concerned, each and every aspect poses a challenge. One such entity that poses a challenge in our arena is oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) as no effective treatment is available for this progressively disabling condition with high malignant potential. Hence the present study was undertaken with the aim to determine the use of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the clinical and histopathologic course of OSF.


METHODS
Thirty clinically confirmed OSF patients were categorized randomly into group I and group II. In group I, drug PTX was administered as an adjunct along with other conventional therapies. Group II patients were advised conventional therapies only. Pre- and post-treatment biopsies were obtained for the following parameters:Micro-vascular density (MVD),Area percentage of blood vessels,Severity of fibrosis, andInflammatory components.


RESULTS
On comparing MVD in groups I and II there was no significant difference in pre- and post-treatment.On comparing the average area percentage occupied by blood vessels, significant difference was seen in pre- and post-treatment biopsies in group I.On assessment of mouth opening and tongue protrusion, there was no significant improvement in either of the groups individually or in comparison. But when burning sensation of mucosa was assessed, pre- and post-treatment, both groups showed quite significant improvement individually.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of pentoxifylline seemed to be questionable, and taking into consideration the long administration time, its use is not recommended for the treatment of OSF patients.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
Namdeo
N
Prabhu
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
Sanjay S
SS
Rao
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
S M
SM
Kotrashetti
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
Shridhar D
SD
Baliga
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
Seema R
SR
Hallikerimath
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, K.L.E.V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, 590010 Karnataka India.
Punnya V
PV
Angadi
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saraswati Medical and Dental College, Lucknow, 227105 Uttar Pradesh India.
Rakhi
R
Issrani
Blood vessels; Micro-vascular density; Oral submucous fibrosis; Pentoxifylline