Management of oral vascular anomalies with diode laser: report of 2 clinical cases

Abstract

This article reports the usefulness of a 980-nm diode laser (Simpler, Dr Smile) for the treatment of oral cavity vascular abnormalities. Vascular abnormalities are common vascular lesions characterized by elevated, usually, dome-shaped papules. These range in color from dark blue to dark purple and are seen more frequently in elderly patients. They often occur as single lesions on the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Although these lesions are usually asymptomatic, they can bleed if injured. The first case is about a 42-year-old woman referred for evaluation of a facial and oral bluish lesion. Clinically, we diagnosed this extensive lesion as an acquired hemangioma. Under local anesthesia (Mepivacaine), we performed a photocoagulation of the lesion using a 980-nm diode laser (Dr Smile) in noncontact mode (2 mm of focal distance) with a 300-nm fiber, continues mode, 1.5 W power, during 1 min. The session was repeated 15 days later. After 6 weeks, wound healing was completed uneventfully. The second case is about a woman, aged 54, sent by a colleague for a purplish lesion on the inner side of the left cheek. Clinically, we diagnosed venous malformation. With the same diode (980 nm), we worked 2–3 mm away from the surface of the lesion, with a power of 4 W in continuous mode, under local anesthesia (Mepivacaine). The patient received only one session. The following controls at 10, 20, and 30 days showed the persistence of an ulceration which healed after 40 days. The patients had no complications during the laser sessions, and their postoperative period was uneventful. We, therefore, concluded that the diode is an excellent therapeutic alternative in the treatment of oral cavity venous malformations.