title: New laser delivery device for laparoscopic procedures.
abstract: A new device to facilitate laser delivery and improve mechanical advantage during surgical procedures is described. In the device, a quartz fiber is used to transmit laser energy to a forked metal tip. The utility of the device was assessed in five pigs. In three pigs a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and in two pigs a laparoscopic lymph node dissection was performed. Advantages of the device included reduced smoke, clearer dissection planes, tactile feedback, and excellent mechanical advantage when used for blunt dissection. The device was qualitatively superior to both sculpted tip quartz fibers and electrocautery.
authors.affiliation: Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bhatta
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Rattner
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Haw
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Nishioka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004867:Equipment Design; D020706:Laparoscopes; D007834:Lasers; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000295:instrumentation; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine