Photobiomodulation vs. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after diode laser excision of lower lip lesions: a case series.

The present study aimed to compare photobiomodulation (PBMT) and the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), after surgical removal of lower lip lesions with a high-power diode laser. This was a series of 13 cases, in which all subjects were treated with high-power diode laser (808 nm) in continuous mode, with a power between 2.0 and 2.5 W. In the experimental group (G1) (n = 7), the subjects underwent PBMT using a low-power laser (LPL) (660 nm, 1 J, 40 mW, spot area of ​​0.04 cm², punctual), on the first, third and seventh post-surgery day. In the control group (G2) (n = 6), a NSAID (nimesulide 100 mg, every 12 h, for five days) was prescribed, and the LPL device was positioned, without being activated, to mimic the PBMT. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied to assess postoperative pain. The size of the surgical wound was measured immediately after surgery, as well as after two, seven, 15 and 30 days. For statistical analysis, the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Most subjects were male (53.8%) with a mean age of 44.7 years. Subjects in G1 reported less pain during follow-ups than those in G2, but with no significant differences between groups in all experimental times (p > 0.05). In the analysis, after seven days, the G1 presented a smaller surgical wound (p = 0.017). PBMT can be an alternative in relation to the use of nimesulide, allowing for less painful symptoms and optimization of the healing process.