Clinical outcomes of fractional erbium laser therapy in the treatment of mucosal lichen planus

Introduction: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the skin and mucous membranes, with a prevalence of 1% to 2.2% in the general population. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of fractional erbium laser therapy for mucosal lichen planus, focusing on its efficacy in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of fractional erbium laser therapy in treating mucosal lichen planus. Methods: This prospective observational study took place in the Department of Dermatology at Bangladesh Specialist Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from March 2021 to February 2023, involving 30 patients with mucosal lichen planus. Participants provided informed consent, and their lesion severity was assessed prior to administering fractional erbium laser therapy. Outcomes were measured and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Result: Participants had a mean age of 58 ± 8.6 years, with 96.67% being female. After fractional erbium laser therapy, 90% achieved complete remission, and 83.33% reported no side effects. Pain scores dropped from 7.0 ± 1.5 to 2.3 ± 1.2, while lesion size decreased from 3.8±0.8 cm² to 1.0±0.5 cm². Satisfaction was high, with 80% highly satisfied, and follow-up indicated a 66.67% no recurrence rate of lesions. Conclusion: Fractional erbium laser therapy is an effective and safe treatment for mucosal lichen planus, showing high remission rates, minimal side effects, and patient satisfaction.