Application Low-Power Laser and Antimicrobial in Radiomucositis

Objectives: Oral mucositis can be induced by radiotherapy. It is a reactive inflammatory process of the oral mucosa with high prevalence and different degrees of tissues involvement. The advances achieved with the low power laser, and the use of some drugs, indicate the possibility of adopting an effective therapeutical strategy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the low power laser application only or associated with topical antimicrobial in the treatment of oral mucositis. Methods: Fourteen patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, associated or not to chemotherapy, were located in two groups: Group I: laser and Group II: laser + chlorhexidine (gel 0.2%). Patients were submitted to prophylactic (4 J) and therapeutic (8 J) treatment for eight weeks. The grade and severity of oral mucositis was evaluated by WHO scale and pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: The results showed that there was not significant difference between low power laser application alone or associated with the use of antimicrobial topical (p > 0.05) However, there was remission of the pain and decrease of the severity degree of oral mucositis, during therapy performed with the low power laser (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In according to data of this study the low power laser application can be beneficial in the treatment of oral mucositis and the association with topical antimicrobial did not increased the effectiveness of lasertherapy.