研究目的

To compare the postoperative complications after labial frenectomy (LF) with lasers and scalpels.

研究成果

Meta-analysis showed that participants who received LF with a laser had pain scores, on average, 3.18 and 1.04 points lower than those who received LF with a scalpel at 1 and 7 days, respectively. Participants who received LF with a laser had discomfort during speech, on average, 2.15 and 1.60 points lower than those who received LF with a scalpel at 1 and 7 days, respectively. Participants who received LF with a laser had discomfort during chewing, on average, 2.90 and 1.56 points lower than those who received LF with a scalpel at 1 and 7 days, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the groups on the odds of consuming analgesics.

研究不足

We have some concerns about the methods that the reviewers used. It is not clear from the eligibility criteria and the results whether the reviewers searched only for trials or also for comparative observational studies. Thus, even though the reviewers searched for studies in appropriate sources and followed an appropriate process to select the studies to include, we are not confident that they used their eligibility criteria appropriately during these stages. The assessment of the risk of bias of the studies also had limitations. The reviewers described using an appropriate tool to do this; however, they did not include all of the tool’s domains, included domains that were not relevant to bias, and provided explanations for the assessment of some domains that were not correct. Thus, this assessment is not helpful for drawing conclusions about the evidence. The results were consistent across studies. Unfortunately, the total number of participants included in the meta-analyses was small, which resulted in imprecise pooled estimates that suggest the possibility of benefits that may be too small to be important to patients.