LASER meaning Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, has been in use for more than a decade. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was the 1st type that was used in medical treatments. Producing beams of light at a 10,600nm wavelength which, are absorbed by water in tissues, causes hemostasis, allowing excision of large variety of soft tissue lesions.

Thus, Laser has become more favourable and is recomended to treat benign OLs, such as fibroma, vascular anomalies, mucoceles, gingival hyperplasia, mucosal frenulas, tongue ties, pre malignant lesion like oral leukoplakia, erythroplakia, papilloma, malignant conditions like mucosal melanoma. 

Laser excision is very precise and accurate. By adjusting the time, power of exposure of Laser, depth of excision can be kept under control. Biological and clinical studies have shown that wounds produced by the C02 laser highly differs from that of scalpel.

At first a coagulum of denatured protein forms on the surface while using Laser and minimal injury occurs at surrounding tissues, thus Dressing is not required and the area should be kept exposed for secondary healing. There is delayed inflammatory reaction and a few myofibroblasts at the base of the wound thus little contraction occurs following excision by laser.

Other conventional techniques for excision of oral lesions have limitations because of highly vascular oral mucosa and limited exposure. With scalpel use, there is increased chances of bleeding causing difficulty identifying tumour margins, increased post operative edema, increased risk for bacterial contamination of the site with poorly sterilised scalpel, also more thermal damage to nearby area while using diathermy causing inadequate histopathological assessment of the margins of the specimen.

The use of CO2 laser hence is advantageous with less amount of post operative pain and edema. The tissue margins can be preserved and bacterial contamination of the site can be reduced.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES :

Primary objective :

1.To assess the efficacy of CO2 Laser in excision of oral lesions.

Secondary objective:

2.To assess the prevalence of various types of oral lesions attending Out patient Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Silchar Medical College & Hospital.