Efficacy of Dexamethasone Mucosal Patch for Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) - A Pilot Study

Aim of the Study: To compare the effect of conventional intra lesional dexamethasone injections and topically applied mucosal patch with dexamethasone in OSMF. Materials and Methods: 10 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients were selected for the study approved by the ethical committee. Group I (5 patients) were treated with conventional intralesional injections of dexamethasone 4mg/ml and Group II (5 patients) were treated with topical mucosal patch with dexamethasone of 2mg/patch bilaterally on buccal mucosa once/week for 6 weeks. Mouth opening, burning sensation and discomfort level of the method were recorded on each visit. Results: Group II patients showed better mouth opening compared to Group I. Both the groups showed similar improvement in the burning sensation. Discomfort level of Group I was very high when compared with Group II. Conclusion: Dexamethasone mucosal patch appears to be a promising treatment method in OSMF which has to be confirmed with further studies. Keywords: submucous fibrosis, management, steroid, mucosal patch