title: Soft tissue effects of the THC:YAG laser on canine vocal cords.
abstract: Recently, a laser based on a thulium-holmium-chromium (THC) doped Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) rod has been developed that produces light of 2.15 microns wavelength and can be transmitted through a low OH- silica fiberoptic cable. This wavelength falls on one of the peaks of the energy absorption spectrum of water. Thus, the THC:YAG laser eliminates the disadvantage of a cumbersome delivery system found in the CO2 laser while still providing precise cutting and minimal tissue injury inherent in lasers emitting light absorbed by water. We evaluated the soft tissue effects of this laser on canine vocal cords. Ablative lesions were produced by the THC:YAG laser and histologically examined on postoperative days 1, 7, and 28. Results indicate that the depth of tissue penetration is easily controlled and the healing response to tissue injury is comparable to that of the CO2 laser. The THC:YAG laser should prove to be a superior laser for use in otorhinolaryngology, especially when adapted to a flexible endoscope.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blitzer
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Treat
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Trokel
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002857:Chromium; D004285:Dogs; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006695:Holmium; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013932:Thulium; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D002857:Chromium; D015019:Yttrium; D013932:Thulium; D006695:Holmium