Effects of cryotherapy on erosive oral Lichen Planus in patients referred to dental faculty of Shahed University and Razi Hospital (2003-2004)

Dr. A. Darbandi* - Dr. J. Nazemi** - Dr. M. Karbalaee Hossein***

*-Assistant Professor of Oral Diseases and Diagnosis Dept. – Faculty of Dentistry – Shahed University of Medical Sciences.

 **-Assistant Professor of Dermatology Dept. Razi hospital.

***-Dentist.

Background and Aim: Lichen Planus is a chronic mucocutanouse disease. In its erosive type, due to accompanying ulcerative lesions, pain and soreness, treatment is necessary. The most common drug used for Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) are coticosteroids which lead to a lot of side effects in long term use. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate cryotherapy, as an effective non – drug treatment for OLP.

Materials and Methods: In this primary clinical study, 11 patients, 7 females and 4 males age ranging from 27 to 67 years old with the mean age of 47, affected with erosive oral Lichen Planus were selected. After filling a questionnaire by each patient, the size of the lesion was measured and the lesion was freezed through cyotherapy. Patients were followed in the first and second weeks after treatment and information on remedy, erithem, inflammation, pain and soreness were recorded and subjected to rank Wilcoxon test.

Results: Statistically significant decrease, in the size of lesions was observed in the second week as compared with the first week using "signed – rank Wilcoxon" test (P=0.03). The comparison of erithem and inflammation between the second and the first weeks also showed a statistically significant decrease (P=0.007). Pain and soreness also showed a meaningful decrease in the first week comparing to pre-treatment as well as in the second week comparing to pre-treatment as well as in the second week comparing to the first week (P=0.007).

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, cryotherapy can be suggested as an effective method for oral erosive Lichen Planus.

Key words: Oral lichen planus – Cryotherapy.