13th World Congress for Laser Dentistry

26-28, April 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Meeting Abstract

Sponsors: World Federation for Laser Dentistry

- Oral Presentation 95

TITLE: The Effect of CO₂ Laser on pain reliefe, in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

AUTHORS: Sharon AB, Baron H, Sela M.

Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel

SOURCE: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 May 1;17(Supplement1):S95.

* doi:10.4317/medoral.17643594

http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17643594

Abstract

Radiation aphthosis is a well known side effect of radiation therapy. Managment of such oral toxicity manifestations presents a major difficulty, and may often delay further treatment. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of CO₂ laser on pain relief and discomfort reported by the head and neck cancer patient, suffering from oral radiation mucositis. A questionnaire (VAS) was given to 30 irradiated patients, regarding the pain they felt during Radiation therapy, before the laser treatment, and immediatly after it. The questions dealt with the level of pain sensation during oral functions (swallowing, talking) and in rest. The CO₂ laser treatment was given to radiation mucositis lesions (10.6 mm waveleangth, continous wave, 1.0-1.5W). The results demonstrated a significant reduction in pain level, either during oral fuctioning and in rest. In this study it has been showed that the CO₂ laser treatment combines rapid pain relief, with long term effect. I t is an effective method for treating oral radiation mucositis, in head and neck cancer patients.