Effectiveness of Pentoxifylline in the Treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta–Analysis

Background: Pentoxifylline, a vasodilator, is currently being investigated for its potential effectiveness in the management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF). Objective: The aim of this present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of oral pentoxifylline in treating OSMF. Methods: A search for publications published between 2000 and August 31, 2024, was done in various kinds of electronic databases. Two reviewers independently evaluated the articles. The included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were examined for bias using the ROB b tool. Results: The review comprised six RCTs. According to the meta-analysis, there were no appreciable variations in burning sensations, tongue protrusion, or mouth opening between the pentoxifylline and control groups. Conclusion: The results of this analysis indicate that pentoxifylline does not demonstrate a significant advantage in the management of OSMF, when compared to other treatment modalities. Nevertheless, evidence from individual studies suggests that pentoxifylline may provide some relief in reducing burning sensation.