continuing education
feature
Fig. 2: Top view of a blue lesion mucocele, two
weeks preop.
Figs. 3a and 3b: Top and side views of mucocele,
5mm in diameter, immediately preop.
Fig. 4: Forceps are used to pull the mucocele
upward. Excision is about to start.
Fig. 5: The bulk of the lesion is excised by the CO2 laser beam.
Fig. 6: A saline-soaked cotton swab is used as a backstop, when needed.
Fig. 7: The remainder of the lesion is excised; forceps are used to create tension.
Fig. 8: Excision is complete. Laser is defocused by increasing nozzle-to-tissue
distance to coagulate the surgical site.
Fig. 9: Immediate postop view of the surgical site. Hemostasis is so effective that
no suturing is required. The surgical wound is left to heal by secondary intention.
Fig. 10: Six weeks postop, no recurrence.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown September 2016