Diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel: An alternative treatment for actinic cheilitis

Objective: actinic cheilitis (ac) is a precancerous lesion of the lip vermillion caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of ac. methods: thirty-four patients with chronic ac were treated twice a day with topical diclofenac during a period of 30 to 180 days. the individuals were followed up every 15 days by means of clinical examination and digital photographic documentation. results: of the 27 patients that completed the study,12 (44%) showed complete remission of the whitish plaques and exfoliative areas,and 15 (56%) had partial remission of the clinical picture of cheilitis. the latter group was submitted to excision of the leukoplakic areas which diagnosis varied from mild to moderate epithelial dysplasia. conclusions: the results suggest a promising role for diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of ac. this treatment has the advantages of not being invasive and showing few side effects.