Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of combination therapy of chymotrypsin and dexamethasone vs dexamethasone alone in patients with oral sub mucous fibrosis.
Methodology: This comparative study trial was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences from November 2019 to April 2020. It included 146 diagnosed patients of oral sub mucous fibrosis (OSMF), equally divided into two groups by lottery method. Group a had 73 patients, treated with intra-lesion injection of combination of chymotrypsin and dexamethasone and group B 73 patients were treated with only dexamethasone. Weekly injections therapy was continued till one month and mouth opening was recorded. On monthly follow-up of both groups without therapy for 3 months, mouth opening was recorded and difference between the two groups was analyzed.
Results: Inter-incisal width (3-5 mm) significantly increased in group A compared to group B suggesting that combination therapy of chymotrypsin and dexamethasone was more effective than dexamethasone therapy (74% vs. 57.5%) with p=0.036.
Conclusion: More consistent results for mouth opening can be expected when oral submucous fibrosis is treated by intralesional injection of combination of chymotrypsin and dexamethasone.

Key words: Oral submucous fibrosis, precancerous condition, restricted mouth opening, steroid, chymotrypsin.