title: The carbon dioxide laser scalpel.
abstract: The CO2-laser is currently used as a scalpel by a large number of medical surgeons, but in the field of veterinary surgery, relatively little has been published on the subject. A review of the origin of medical lasers, the basic physics of laser energy production and the characteristics of laser light was therefore considered necessary. This review includes a discussion on how the optical radiation generated by the different lasers is absorbed, the cutting power of the CO2-laser, and the effect on healing, tensile strength and haemostasis when used in the skin, linea alba and gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Medical University of Southern Africa, Medunsa.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Durante
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide