title: [Experimental results of cartilage abrasion with an excimer laser. Histologic and electron microscopy studies].
abstract: Experiments carried out with cadaver cartilage from the tibiaplateau were performed using an excimer-laser to demonstrate its use for cartilage removal. Laser applications resulted in a cartilage ablation depending on energy density and the number of applied pulses. Observations made using scanning electron-microscopy showed the influence of the pulse rate on the surface structure. Transmission-electron-microscopical investigation showed the existence of a superficially altered layer with a depth of approx. 6 microns. On the basis of the results obtained, the conclusion can be reached that application of excimer-lasers for cartilage removal in a view of future endoscopic surgery could become a valuable alternative to the existing methods in the therapy of osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universität Lübeck, Klinik für Chirurgie.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hohlbach
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baretton
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Experimentelle Ergebnisse der Knorpelabrasio mit einem Excimer-Laser. Histologische und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen.