Single non-contact Nd: YAG laser irradiation treatment for venous malformations in the oral cavity

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to reveal a clinical evaluation of single non-contact Nd: YAG (the neodymium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser) photocoagulation irradiation treatment of venous malformation (VM) in the oral region. Patients and methodsSeventeen patients with 21 VMs in the oral region who visited our hospital from 2010 to 2015 were subjected. The patients consisted of six males and 11 females, ranging in age from 27 to 71 years old. The VM locations included tongue, buccal mucosa, and lip sites. Their sizes ranged from 4 to 24mm along the major axis direction, and the thickness ranged from 4 to 13mm. All patients were treated with single non-contact irradiation using the Nd: YAG laser under local anaesthesia. ResultsAll cases, including the patients with deep-seated lesions, healed after one-time irradiation with the laser beam. Serious complications have not occurred in patients receiving the treatment. There was no recurrence of VMs for at least one year after treatment. ConclusionsUsing single non-contact irradiation treatment, we obtained good results without clinical complications. The application of the Nd: YAG laser in treatment of lesions has the advantages of no bleeding, minimal scarring, and a short operative time. These results suggest that Nd: YAG laser treatment by a single non-contact irradiation is effective against VMs of thicknesses 13mm or less in the oral region.