Successful Management of Lip and Oral Venous Varices by Photocoagulation with Nd:YAG Laser.

AIM: This study assessed the effectiveness of photocoagulation with Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of lip and oral venous varices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients (eight men and eight women, mean age 56 years) diagnosed as having either lip or oral venous varices, were examined and treated with a noncontact Nd:YAG laser. As lesions were small (less than 1 cm), round or oval in shape, flat, dark to blue in color and symptomless, patients sought for treatment either for esthetic reason, bleeding or cancerophobia-related concern.

RESULTS: All but one lesion were successfully treated with only one irradiation exposure. Healing was completed in about 2 to 4 weeks; none of the patients experienced complications or recurrence. Pain was out of any major concern during immediate follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Although photocoagulation with Nd:YAG laser did not outperform the effectiveness observed with diode laser (data shown in a previous study),(17) it proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of lip and oral varices, with consistent results.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Most of patients with oral and lip varices only need some clinical advice regarding the their nature of their lesions. Yet, for those who seek treatment for this conditions, the use Nd:YAG laser is an option as it yields satisfactory outcomes.