LightScalpel CO₂ Laser Management of Lingual Leukoplakia

Robert A. Strauss, DDS, MD, treats a large lingual leukoplakia lesion (mild dysplasia) with the LightScalpel CO₂ laser (he utilized adjustable spot size laser handpiece for this procedure). First, a biopsy was performed to make definitive diagnosis of the lesion (biopsy confirmed mild dysplasia). Then, the surgeon determines the margins of the lesion and outlined them with a laser including approximately 2 mm “safety” margins (0.25 mm laser spot size at 6 watts / 10 pulses/second). Then he ablates/vaporizes the lesion in two perpendicular passes (the laser handpiece is now adjusted to 0.8 mm spot size and ablation is done at 6 watts in the continuous wave mode). Finally, the surgical site is gently wiped and the procedure is finished.