Use of Nd:YAG laser in pancreatic resections with duodenal preservation in the dog.
The trend in recent years for treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and occasionally for pancreatitis has been towards total pancreatectomy. The pancreas is also now being harvested for transplantation. Any operative technique that can reduce operating time, blood loss, and associated morbidity and mortality would be of tremendous advantage. The aim of this study was to undertake a total pancreatectomy using the Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 1,060 nm) with a helium neon laser (wavelength 628 nm) incorporated to provide a marker beam. The laser beam was passed into a 400 micron flexible glass fiber enclosed in a 2.5 mm polyethylene cannula, which also served as a conduit for coaxial CO2. The laser was operated in a continuous wave mode, and the fiber exit beam had a divergence of 10 degrees. For photocoagulation and tissue vaporization, peak powers of 50 W were used with 0.5-1 sec pulses. The total pancreatectomy using the Nd:YAG laser was performed in eight dogs, and ten dogs undergoing the conventional operative procedure served as controls. The findings indicate that the Nd:YAG laser could be used effectively and safely. The operating time was considerably diminished (P less than 0.01); the number of ligatures used was smaller; blood loss, graft survival, and duodenal viability were similar. The Nd:YAG laser offers a new therapeutic modality in the performance of tedious and often difficult pancreatic surgery.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control
D007328:Insulin