[Removal of epulis using CO2 laser (clinicopathologic analysis and surgical experience)].

From analyzing the epulis patient population of 40 years it could be established that from the 1019 lesions 12.8% relapsed, in 40% of surgical interventions, beside the extraction of the tooth involved. For the removal of epulis an own method has been elaborated by the authors. As a first step the tumour is excised by carbon dioxide laser, thereafter excochleation and bone decortication are performed, which is followed, as a third step, by evaporation. In each case attempt is made at preserving the teeth, when necessary radicular treatment and fixation are done. Postoperatively minimal edema and pain occurred, the majority of the patients was able to work on the first postoperative day. Following laser removal of 63 epulis recurrence was seen in 5 cases (7.9%), without intraoperative tooth extraction. The combined method was successfully applied also in a hemophilic patient. Beside the conventional laser surgical handpiece an endoscope of own construction was also used on surfaces untreatable from direct sight.