Successful treatment of lower lip venous lake using CO2 fractional laser therapy.

RATIONALE: Venous lakes (VL) are common vascular anomalies, typically affecting individuals over 40 and appearing on the lips or oral mucosa. Conventional treatments: such as surgical excision and coagulation, can lead to postoperative complications, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas. Various laser therapies have been proposed; however, some are not readily available in developing countries. This case report explores fractional Carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser) therapy as a safe, minimally invasive alternative with favorable aesthetic and clinical outcomes.

PATIENT CONCERNS: An 18-year-old Syrian female presented with a 1.8 cm violet, sessile nodule on her lower lip. Although asymptomatic, the lesion caused aesthetic distress and occasional trauma from her teeth.

DIAGNOSES: Clinical evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a VL on the lower lip.

INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent 3 sessions of fractional CO2 laser therapy targeting the lesion.

OUTCOMES: Complete healing was achieved without tissue loss, scarring, or recurrence during an 8-month follow-up period. No adverse effects were reported throughout the treatment process.

LESSONS: Fractional CO2 laser therapy shows promise as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for VL, particularly in cosmetically sensitive areas. Further prospective studies are needed to validate its efficacy and compare outcomes across different treatment modalities.