Effectiveness of photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of vascular malformations in the oral region.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to make a clinical evaluation of vascular malformations in the oral region treated by photocoagulation with an Nd:YAG laser, to determine its effectiveness. BACKGROUND DATA: The Nd:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064 nm in the near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, has unique characteristics, such as absorption by oxygenated hemoglobin, negligible absorption by water, and a deep depth of penetration, all of which are ideal for performing the photocoagulation of vascular malformations. METHODS: The subjects were 67 patients (69 cases) with vascular malformations in the oral region who visited our hospital from 2004 to 2011, and were treated by photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser. They consisted of 23 male patients and 44 female patients, ranging from 7 to 89 years of age. Lesion size was classified for convenience into two groups (<15 mm or >/= 15 mm) for clinical analysis and evaluation. The lesions were located at sites including the lip, tongue, buccal mucosa, gingiva, mouth floor, and soft palate, and ranged in size from 3 to 42 mm along the major axis. Fifty patients (74.6%) were treated on an outpatient basis, whereas 17 patients (25.4%) were treated in the hospital. All patients were treated using an Nd:YAG laser at an output of 8-15 W under local anesthesia. RESULTS: No patient developed serious complications from this treatment. However, it was necessary to irradiate the laser beam two or more times in cases of deep-seated lesions. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to obtain satisfactory results without clinical complications, using only external irradiation. These results suggest that the Nd:YAG laser is effective for the treatment of vascular malformations in the oral region.