Treatment of Mucocele of the Lower Lip With Carbon Dioxide Laser

PurposeThe aim of this report was to evaluate the outcome and complications of the treatment of numerous patients with mucoceles of lower lip by means of CO2 laser vaporization.Materials and MethodsThis study included 82 patients with biopsy-confirmed mucocele of the lower lip who were treated with CO2 laser vaporization from January 1999 to December 2003; the data on recurrence and complications were collected.ResultsThere was a recurrence in 2 cases. Complications were rare, except for mild discomfort. One patient felt temporary numbness at the operative site. There was no bleeding and minimal scar formation.ConclusionCO2 laser vaporization to treat the mucocele of the lower lip is effective and has few complications. Because the operative time is shorter than with the excisional method, it is especially good for children and for less cooperative patients with this lesion.