Is CO2 laser effective in the surgical management of oral potentially malignant disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers in the surgical management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), lesions of the oral mucosa with a risk of malignant transformation. The research question focused on whether CO2 lasers reduce recurrence rates and postoperative pain compared to other treatment modalities.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statements, and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023438873).