An investigation into the therapeutic effect of local application of Trichloroacetic Acid, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and normal saline for aphthous ulcers minor

Abstract

The author attempted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of local application of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), 
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and normal saline for aphthous ulcers minor (AUM) . Fifty four patients with AUM 
were enrolled in this study between January, 2002 and December, 2004. They were divided blindly into 3 equal 
groups , 18 patients managed with local application of 30% TCA ,18 treated by local 6% H2O2 and the last group 
by 0.9% normal saline locally also (control group), all patients were followed up after 3 - 7 days. Assessments 
by clinical examination were performed, depending on 3 criteria, tingling and pain, tenderness and surrounding 
erythema. Thirty two patients = 42.5% belong to (20 - 29) years age group, the male to female ratio was 0.6:1. 
Commonest site of AUM was labial and buccal mucosa (14 patients = 25.9%), 38 patients =70% were non 
smoker, there were 3 male patients and one female affected when they give up cigarette smoking, 19 out of 54 
patients (35%) treated with the three agents went into remission. Treatment success was observed in 13 out of 
18 (72.2%) patients with 30% TCA, whereas only 5 out of 18 (28%) patients treated by local application of 6% 
hydrogen H2O2 went into remission and only one patient improved in control group (5.5%) . Based on our 
findings, 30% TCA was a potential agent with minimal side effects for treatment of AUM. Further extensive 
prospective controlled study is warranted to verify our statements. However, as for local application of (H2O2), 
further investigation with different concentration is compelling.