Incidence of Chronic Pain following Oral Soft Tissue Biopsies: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Soft tissue oral biopsies (STOB) are commonly performed in the medical field to obtain tissue samples for diagnostic purposes. However, like all invasive procedures, these biopsies may carry risks, such as the development of chronic long-lasting neuropathic pain. This study aims to examine the occurrence of chronic pain following STOBs. A retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of 695 patients who underwent STOBs at the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Hadassah Medical Center between the years 2013 and 2022. Demographic information, details of the procedure, histopathological diagnosis, and data related to post-procedure pain in the biopsy area were collected and analyzed. Out of the 695 patients, only 4 reports of chronic pain with mild intensity lasting more than three months following oral biopsy were documented, with incidence rate of 0.57%; all were females with a median age of 59 ± 2.0 years. The biopsies were taken from various sites and the common diagnoses were lichen planus, venous malformation, and fibromas. In conclusion, chronic pain after oral soft-tissue biopsies is rare, generally mild, and typically does not require extra therapy. These insights can aid clinicians and patients in making informed decisions about these procedures.