Efficacy of Lasers in the Treatment of Tobacco Abuse Induced Oral Leukoplakia

Background: Oral leukoplakia is defined as a white patch or plaque, which cannot be characterized clinically or histopathologically as any other disease entity and is recognized as a common precancerous lesion of the oral mucous membrane. Definitive management crucial due to its notoriety for recurrences and malignant transformation depending on the anatomic location, clinical features, degree of epithelial dysplasia and causative factors. High power pulse diode laser has some advantages like less pain, swelling, prevention of metastasis, edema, less bleeding and infection. The prime objective of the study was to evaluate clinically and histopathologically the disease course with six monthly follow up. Methods: Thirty cases who had white lesion in the buccal mucosa with positive history of oral tobacco abuse, clinically diagnosed cases of oral leukoplakia confirmed by histopathology were selected for inclusion in the study and treated by LASER. The outcomes after the clinical and histopathologic determinants were processed with standard statistical tests, the results were derived and findings concluded. Results: Cases were distributed as per the size and histopathologic report and LASER ablation was administered Recurrence was noticed in 4 cases (16.6%) after six months follow up. No case transformed to malignancy during the study follow up period. Conclusion: Management of oral leukoplakia prevents not only recurrence and malignant transformation, but also postoperative dysfunction. Laser ablation of tobacco abuse induced leukoplakia is a simple effective and safe alternative to conventional surgical local excision with predictable outcome which can be undertaken as a routine OPD day care set up.