Efficacy of Topical Trichloroacetic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide for Aphthous Ulcers

Background: Aphthous ulceration is a common and painful problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of local application of trichloroacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide for aphthous ulcers minor. Methodology: This was a double blind controlled study; conducted at Al-Mawanee and Basrah General Hospital. Patients with aphthous ulcers minor were enrolled in this study between January 2002 and December 2004. Forty four patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided blindly into 3 equal groups; 18 patients were managed with local application of 30% trichloroacetic acid, 18 by 6% hydrogen peroxide and 18 by normal saline (control group). All patients were followed after 3-7 days. Clinical assessment was performed depending on 3 criteria; tingling & pain, tenderness, and surrounding erythema. Results: Fifty-four patients with aphthous ulcers minor were studied. Male to female ratio was 0.6:1. The commonest site of ulcers was labial and buccal mucosa in 14(25.9%) patients. Thirty-eight (70%) patients were non-smokers, there were 3 male patients and one female affected after giving up cigarette smoking. Nineteen (35%) patients went into remission. These included 13(72.2%) patients in trichloroacetic acid, whereas only 5(28%) in hydrogen peroxide and only one (5.5%) in control group. Conclusion: Trichloroacetic acid 30% is a suitable agent in the treatment of aphthous ulcers minor. It would be of benefit particularly in resource-limited developing countries.