title: Nd:YAG laser bipolar dissector--preliminary results.
abstract: We have developed a laser bipolar dissector (LBD) which uses the 1,064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength. The laser emits from the inner surface of the distal 7 mm of each probe made of synthetic sapphire. With low laser power (15-25 W), the bipolar provides hemostatic cutting of larger blood vessels. Animal experiments were carried out using New Zealand white rabbits. The LBD hemostatically cut through veins up to 5 mm and arteries up to 2 mm in diameter. Rebleeding did not occur. Transection of parenchymal organs such as liver and lung was easily performed with complete hemostasis. In chronic experiments a partial hepatectomy with splenectomy and left nephrectomy was performed using the LBD alone without any ligation. Up to 3 weeks postoperatively there were no direct complications related to using the LBD. In conclusion the LBD could perform a hemostatic transection of large vessels and might have clinical application in the dissection of vascular parenchymal organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Numazu Medical Association Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishiwaki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daikuzono
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Joffe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011817:Rabbits; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation