Efeito da terapia laser de baixa potência na hipossalivação e xerostomia decorrentes da radioterapia

• Autor(a) principal: Saleh, Jamil
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da PUC_RS
• Texto Completo: http://tede2.pucrs.br/tede2/handle/tede/1262
• topic: ODONTOLOGIA; XEROSTOMIA; PATOLOGIA BUCAL; RADIOTERAPIA; QUALIDADE DE VIDA; SALIVA; CNPQ::CIENCIAS DA SAUDE::ODONTOLOGIA

Xerostomia and hyposalivation are important sequelae of head and neck radiotherapy and may have a negative impact on quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on hyposalivation, xerostomia and quality of life related to oral health (QLROH) in irradiated patients. Were selected 23 patients with a history of head and neck malignancy, treated with fractioned teletherapy, whose therapeutic site had involved at least 50% of the major salivary glands. Patients should have completed radiotherapy for at least six months and present hyposalivation and xerostomia. The sample was randomly distributed in laser group (n=12) and control (n=11). A GaAlAs laser, at 830 nm (infrared) wavelength, 100 mW power, 2 J energy per point was used. Patients underwent twelve sessions of LLLT, applied in parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands. In the control group, the laser tool received a plastic tip that blocked radiation emission. Stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate was assessed at baseline, after the 6th and 12th session. Xerostomia was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and QLROH, through the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP - 14). The results showed no significant difference between the laser and control groups regarding the salivary flow rate, xerostomia or quality of life. However, at the end of the treatment, the xerostomia and the QLROH showed significant improvement in both groups compared to assessments carried out in baseline. Based on the results, we conclude that, in the parameters used, LLLT was not able to increase salivary flow rate or decrease xerostomia. The results may be associated to the late effects of radiotherapy on glandular structure such as fibrosis and acinar atrophy. The improvement in xerostomia and quality of life highlights the importance of advice given to the irradiated patients and their follow-up.