Correlation Between the Effects of CO2 Laser and Histopathological Analysis in Vocal Cord Lesions: An Observational Study.

Lasers are based on the principle of light amplification by empowering atoms to store and emit light in a coherent form. Through their effect on tissues, lasers reduce hemorrhage allowing the surgeon to work in a clear field with precise removal of the tissues. Irradiation of the soft tissues by lasers produces thermal effects on the surrounding healthy tissues which can make histopathological examination difficult. Hence this study was done to find a correlation between adjustable parameters of CO2 laser and the extent of collateral thermal damage in the excised vocal cord lesions on histopathological examination and diagnosis. In this study, we enrolled 80 patients who were divided into 4 groups with different combinations of laser power and mode, used during transoral laser micro laryngeal surgery for the excision of vocal cord lesions and subsequent histopathological analysis to objectively measure the extent of thermal damage zone and subjectively assess histo-morphological effects of thermal damage in terms of grade of carbonization. The extent of the thermal damage zone is directly related to the power of the laser, but the mode of the laser had no relation with the thermal damage zone in our study. On subjective histo-morphological examination of excised lesions showed that both power and mode of laser have significant effects on tissue morphology. Continuous mode causes a significantly higher grade of carbonization as compared to the superpulsed mode of the laser. However, in our study it was seen that charring in no way affected the diagnosis in any of the biopsies examined whatever the power or mode of the laser used. The depth and width of the tissue thermal damage zone are mainly dependent upon the laser parameters (power and mode). Although considering the limitations of this study carried out in terms of sample size, it would be pertinent to mention here that further studies with larger cohorts need to be done to authenticate these results.

A Light Microscopic Study Comparing Pulp Histological Alterations Following Tooth Preparation Using a High-speed Handpiece and an Er: YAG Laser.

Introduction: Histological alterations were evaluated in this study after tooth preparation with carbide burs using a traditional handpiece and Er: YAG laser. Methods: Tooth preparation was done on 30 intact maxillary first premolars of healthy patients. Ten maxillary first premolars were used as control, wherein no tooth preparation was done. Box-shaped tooth preparation was done on the occlusal surface of maxillary first premolars using carbide bur in the handpiece and Er: YAG laser (n = 10). After performing the recommended procedure for different groups, each tooth was extracted and 4-5 µm thick sections were prepared and stained using H and E stains. A 4-40× microscope was used to examine the morphological alterations in the odontoblasts. The Chi-square test was used to compare the outcomes. Results: The high-speed drill group and the control group had statistically significant differences (P = 0.05). High-speed drill and laser group differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The histological findings as seen with laser tooth preparation were nearly identical to those of control or nonmanipulated teeth under light microscope, whereas disruption of odontoblastic layer was seen with high-speed drills.

A Rare Occurrence of Mucocele in the Floor of the Mouth of an Infant.

A mucocele is a prevalent benign oral lesion distinguished by the extravasation or retention of mucous within submucosal tissue originating from minor salivary glands. Mucoceles predominantly manifest on the lower lip, followed by occurrences on the floor of the mouth and the buccal mucosa. Trauma and lip biting habits are one of the main causes of lesions. Mucoceles are rarely observed in infants. This paper highlights an atypical case of mucocele located within the floor of the mouth in the first year of life (9 months old) in a child who was treated successfully with complete surgical excision, and the patient is on regular postoperative follow-up.

A Rare Complication of Maxillary Third Molar Extraction.

The removal of tuberosity post extraction of the maxillary third molar is a very rare complication and there has not been ample discussion in the literature. Forceful extraction of a maxillary third molar can lead to soft and hard tissue loss. Various techniques have been used for the management of such defects such as local flaps, free soft tissue flaps, free bone flaps, and even tissue engineering. We present a case report of a large post-traumatic defect of maxillary tuberosity caused by forceful extraction of the maxillary third molar, which was managed conservatively by secondary healing, and the patient is on regular follow-up.