Product Code: JLA_24_1_012003

Authors:
Walter Niccoli-Filho
Lu´cio Murilo-Santos
Aline R. C. Morosolli
Gerusa de Oliveira Moura Cardoso
Joa˜o Vitor dos Santos Canellas
Array

In this clinical study, we proposed to observe the efficacy of the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCCT) by carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser surgery. Twelve patients with SCCT were treated with excisional surgery using the CO₂ laser with a spot size of 0.8 mm, 10 W, power density of 2.5 W/cm² in continuous mode, and under constant vacuum removal of the plume. The post surgical clinical evaluations were done every day until the sutures were removed and then every 7 days up to 1 month postoperatively. Subjects were re-examined quarterly until the fifth year post surgery. After 5 yr of follow-up for all subjects, there was no recurrence of the SCCT at the involved sites. The functional and aesthetic results observed were excellent. It is concluded that CO₂ laser ablation of SCCT is an extremely useful surgical technique that can provide a clean field and is capable of providing surgical results consistent with accepted principles of oncological surgery.