Sucralfate: A help during oral management in patients with epidermolysis bullosa

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic disorders Mat lead to blister formation at variable depths in skin and mucosa. Vesicles m ay arise spontaneously or be caused by friction or trauma. Oral tissue frag ility and blistering is common in all EB types. The majority of patients wi th mild forms of EB are able to receive dental treatment. The prevention of dental caries is most challenging in subjects with severe mucosal involvem ent, as they are feast able to routinely undergo correct preventive procedu res. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a sucralfat e suspension in reducing both pain and the number of blisters in patients w ith EB, and to obtain improved oral hygiene and a lower incidence of caries . Methods: Five patients with dystrophic EB were treated with sucralfate susp ension for the prevention and management of oral blisters. Oral blisters we re assessed using a quantitative scale, while pain was assessed using visua l analogue scale (VAS), and hygiene was evaluated through plaque and gingiv al indexes. Results: The number of blisters, oral pain, and plaque decreased in all cas es. Conclusions: Oral prophylaxis with sucralfate prevented oral blisters and o ral discomfort. The procedure proved to be cost effective and easy to admin ister. It did not show significant side effects and may be used routinely i n patients with EB.