To explore the efficacy of Er: YAG laser combined with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in the treatment of oral lichen planus.

A total of 34 oral lichen planus (OLP) patients who were treated in the Department of Oral Mucosa Diseases, Oral Branch, Zhongshan City People′s Hospital from December 2020 to September 2021 were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method. The two groups were randomly divided as follows, Er: YAG laser combined with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment treatment (17 cases in the observation group) , and tacrolimus ointment treatment alone (17 cases in the control group) . The χ² test or Fisher′s exact probability method was used to evaluate efficiency and record the number of adverse reactions of patients with the two treatment methods.

The total effective rate in the observation group was 100%, while 64.7% in the control group. Fisher′s exact probability method showed that the significant difference between the two treatment methods (P=0.018) . Except for a small part of patients who had mild stinging, burning and other adverse reactions when initially using tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, the pain from vast majority of patients could be relieved.

Er: YAG laser combined with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment has a significant effect in the treatment of OLP patients, which is faster than tacrolimus treatment alone in relieving pain, and has less adverse reactions.