[Use of the carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of leukoplakia]

Experiences obtained in the course of laser surgical treatment of 126 mouth cavity leukoplakias are summarized. The elaborated, differentiated method ensures, besides safe removal of tissues infected by leukoplakia, a possibility for significantly preserving the functions of the mouth cavity. In case of simplex leukoplakia coagulation by means of defocused laser beam of 5 W energy, in case of verrucosus vaporization by means of focused beom of 10 to 15 W, and in erosiv cases excision in carried out by means of focused beom of 20 to 25 W energy. After laser treatment out of 126 patients 118 were free of symptoms. After operation emberging pain, oedema are minimal. (As a rule, the patients are capable of work the other day.) It is stated that the leucoplakias represent one of the most important fields of the oral surgical employment of the CO2 laser beam.