Figure 1
From: CO2 lasers in the management of potentially malignant and malignant oral disorders
CO2 laser excision of oral premalignant disorder. A: patient presented with non-homogenous leukoplakia of the posterior buccal area and the retromolar trigone; B: CO2 laser excision of the lesion carried out under general anaesthesia; C: 3 margins (superior, anterior and posterior) have been excised and released prior to release of the inferior margin; D: complete lesion excision and subsequent laser of the base to achieve haemostasis; E: 1 week post excision showing good heeling with minimal frictional keratosis; F: 1 month post excision showing normal oral mucosal with regression of keratosis. Adapted with permission from: Jerjes W, Upile T, Hamdoon Z, Al-Khawalde M, Morcos M, Mosse CA, Hopper C. CO2 laser of oral dysplasia: clinicopathological features of recurrence and malignant transformation. Lasers Med Sci. 2012 Jan;27(1):169–79.