Mucosal reconstruction using an artificial dermis after KTP laser surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the clinical effectiveness of the artificial dermis. BACKGROUND DATA: We have previously observed prolonged postoperative pain and bleeding in patients receiving potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser surgery for oral mucosal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The artificial dermis was placed on the wound and fixed to the surrounding oral mucosa by silk suturing. The silicon sheet of the artificial dermis and the sutures were removed on the seventh postoperative day. Postoperative bleeding from the oral mucosa, duration of postoperative pain, and the period required for healing were all assessed clinically. The results were compared to those in a group of similar cases which were treated without the artificial dermis. In this retrospective review, we considered 20 cases of tongue lesion treated by KTP laser (10 leukoplakias, nine squamous cell carcinomas, and one metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the tongue), nine of which were followed by application of an artificial dermis to prevent postoperative pain and bleeding, and 11 of which were not. RESULTS: No postoperative bleeding was observed in the group of cases treated with an artificial dermis, although it was observed in 45.5% in the group of cases treated without an artificial dermis. There was a statistical difference between these two groups (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that use of artificial dermis prevented postoperative bleeding.