Clinical, surgical and diagnostic evaluation of lesions of the oral mucosa using biopsy and histological studies: comparison of two methods

In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical and histologic efficacy of electrosurgery (DTC 100) in performing excisional biopsy on benign mucosal lesions, in comparison with traditional surgery (scalpel and suture). For this aim, 40 biopsy specimens were selected and divided into 4 distinct groups: group A1, samples of oral lesions located on the genian mucosa and removed using DTC 100; group A2, samples of healthy genian mucosa removed using DTC 100, as control; group B1, samples of oral lesions located on the genian mucosa and removed using traditional surgery; group B2, samples of healthy genian mucosa removed using traditional surgery, as control. The clinical evaluation was carried out regarding symptomatology and bleeding after surgery, healing time, restitutio ad integrum. It gives positive results for the electrosurgical technique, in which the suture is not necessary. The histologic evaluation regarding the microscopical adequacy of specimens removed by means of electrosurgery shows better results than those from other authors; in fact, the presence of the cauterized margin compromize minimally the possibility of examining specimens of adequate size; the dimension of the cauterized margin also depends on various factors: the use of only the tomic function of the electroscalpel with the correct setting; the skill of the surgeon who should apply neither pressure or resistance; the speed of incision; the use, when possible, of acicular and thin blades.