CO2 and Nd:YAG laser systems in microsurgical venous anastomoses.
A comparative study was undertaken in 81 rats to investigate a CO2 and Nd:YAG laser system for laser-welded anastomosis of the femoral vein. Conventionally sutured anastomoses (CMSA) served as controls. Laser-welded anastomosis (LAMA) was easier and could be performed 30% faster than CMSA. Postoperative investigations included patency tests, postmortem examinations and light and electron microscopy. Aneurysms were not seen. Foreign-body reaction was more pronounced in CMSA. Patency rates for CO2-LAMA and CMSA were equal, whereas Nd:YAG-LAMA resulted in significantly higher rate of early postoperative thrombosis (P less than 0.01). Because of its physical properties, the CO2-laser system seems to be better suited for laser welding of delicate structures such as the rat femoral vein.
Department of Urology, University Hospital Mainz, FRG.
R A
RA
Bürger
C D
CD
Gerharz
H
H
Rothe
U H
UH
Engelmann
R
R
Hohenfellner
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013537:Sutures; D014654:Vascular Patency