title: Er:YAG Laser Versus Cold Knife Excision in the Treatment of Nondysplastic Oral Lesions: A Randomized Comparative Study for the Postoperative Period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study was to estimate the effects of Erbium substituted: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er:YAG) laser, compared with traditional scalpel, on the early postoperative sequelae of nondysplastic oral lesion removal.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is limited evidence that laser surgery could exhibit advantages over scalpel in oral mucosal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigators studied a cohort of 344 patients; 394 lesions were randomized and treated. Outcome statistically evaluated variables were: age, gender, the site and size of investigated lesions, visual analogue score (VAS) of pain, the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) and the Quality of Life test (QOL), and number of analgesics taken in the 1st week after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found if considering the surgical time, VAS, and QOL and OHIP-14 questionnaires; regarding those data, the Er:YAG laser appeared to be faster and less painful than traditional scalpel (p < 0.05). For bigger lesions, patients statistically took more painkillers if they had undergone traditional surgery. Considering the site of the treated lesions, Er:YAG laser was less painful, especially in the gingiva and palate (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first randomized controlled surgical trial reported for the management of nondysplastic oral lesions with the use of an Er:YAG laser. With many limitations, the present report identifies significant difference in the immediate postoperative surgical period between the two treatments, meaning that the Er:YAG laser seemed to be less painful, and better accepted by patients, than traditional scalpel.
authors.affiliation: 1 Oral Medicine Section, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin , Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broccoletti
authors.affiliation: 1 Oral Medicine Section, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin , Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cafaro
authors.affiliation: 1 Oral Medicine Section, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin , Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambino
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, Genoa University , Genoa, Italy .
authors.forename: Ercole
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.affiliation: 1 Oral Medicine Section, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin , Turin, Italy .
authors.forename: Paolo Giacomo
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Arduino
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires