Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis with Injection of Hyaluronidase and Dexamethasone in Grade III Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating and potentially malignant condition of the oral cavity. It is resistant and progressive affecting the entire oral cavity that sometimes causes a gradual reduction in mouth opening that may even extend up to the pharynx. Although the medical treatment is not completely systematized, optimal doses of its treatment with local injection of corticosteroids with hyaluronidase or placental extract is effective to some extent. However, a combination of steroids and topical hyaluronidase shows better long-term results than either agents used individually. To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone and hyaluronidase in the treatment of Grade III OSMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients diagnosed with OSMF were treated in Sri Rajiv Gandhi College of Dental Sciences for a time period of 9 months, by obtaining the patient’s consent and with the approval of the institution’s research ethical committee. They were treated by administering an intralesional injection of dexamethasone1.5 ml, hyaluronidase 1500 IU with 0.5 ml lignocaine HCL injected intralesionally biweekly for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Improvement in the patient’s mouth opening with a net gain of 6 ± 2 mm (92%), the range being 4-8 mm. Definite reduction in burning sensation, painful ulceration and blanching of oral mucosa and patient followed up for an average of 9 months. CONCLUSION: Injection of hyaluronidase with dexamethasone is an effective method of managing Grade III OSMF and can possibly eliminate the morbidity associated with surgical management.