Effectiveness of photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of vascular malformations in the oral region.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to make a clinical evaluation of vascular malformations in the oral region treated by photocoagulation with an Nd:YAG laser, to determine its effectiveness.

BACKGROUND DATA: The Nd:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064 nm in the near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, has unique characteristics, such as absorption by oxygenated hemoglobin, negligible absorption by water, and a deep depth of penetration, all of which are ideal for performing the photocoagulation of vascular malformations.

METHODS

The subjects were 67 patients (69 cases) with vascular malformations in the oral region who visited our hospital from 2004 to 2011, and were treated by photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser. They consisted of 23 male patients and 44 female patients, ranging from 7 to 89 years of age. Lesion size was classified for convenience into two groups (<15 mm or ≥ 15 mm) for clinical analysis and evaluation. The lesions were located at sites including the lip, tongue, buccal mucosa, gingiva, mouth floor, and soft palate, and ranged in size from 3 to 42 mm along the major axis. Fifty patients (74.6%) were treated on an outpatient basis, whereas 17 patients (25.4%) were treated in the hospital. All patients were treated using an Nd:YAG laser at an output of 8-15 W under local anesthesia.

RESULTS

No patient developed serious complications from this treatment. However, it was necessary to irradiate the laser beam two or more times in cases of deep-seated lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

We were able to obtain satisfactory results without clinical complications, using only external irradiation. These results suggest that the Nd:YAG laser is effective for the treatment of vascular malformations in the oral region.