EFFICACY OF TOPICAL TRICHLOROACETIC ACID AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR APHTHOUS ULCERS

Background: Aphthous ulceration is a common and painful problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of local application of trichloroacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide for aphthous ulcers minor.Methodology: This was a double blind controlled study; conducted at Al-Mawanee and Basrah General Hospital. Patients with aphthous ulcers minor were enrolled in this study between January 2002 and Decem¬ber 2004. Forty four patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided blindly into 3 equal groups; 18 patients were managed with local application of 30% trichloroacetic acid, 18 by 6% hydrogen peroxide and 18 by normal saline (control group). All patients were followed after 3-7 days. Clinical assessment was performed depending on 3 criteria; tingling pain, tenderness, and surrounding erythema.Results: Fifty-four patients with aphthous ulcers minor were studied. Male to female ratio was 0.6:1. The commonest site of ulcers was labial and buccal mucosa in 14(25.9%) patients. Thirty-eight (70%) patients were non-smokers, there were 3 male patients and one female affected after giving up cigarette smoking. Nineteen (35%) patients went into remission. These included 13(72.2%) patients in trichloroacetic acid, whereas only 5(28%) in hydrogen peroxide and only one (5.5%) in control group.Conclusion: Trichloroacetic acid 30% is a suitable agent in the treatment of aphthous ulcers minor. It would be of benefit particularly in resource-limited developing countries