Mucocele of the minor salivary glands in an infant: treatment with diode laser.

BACKGROUND

Mucoceles are benign lesions that develop as a result of retention or extravasation of mucous material from minor salivary glands. Very uncommon in newborns and infants, they rarely may interfere with breastfeeding and compromise the respiratory function.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of mucocele in a three-month-old infant in the right labial commissure excised by diode laser of different wavelengths (635-980 nm), with an average power of 1.8 W, in continuous wave mode, using 300 to 320 micron optical fibers. The healing occurred in 10 days. There were no adverse effects and the patient was carefully followed-up until complete healing.

CONCLUSION

T he diode laser is not only a valuable tool for mucocele eradication but it also reduces relapses, thanks to the characteristics of the laser light.