title: Use of the Nd-YAG laser in neurosurgery.
abstract: After many years of experience, in general we prefer the Nd-YAG laser, although the CO2 laser is an advantage in a few specific cases (lipomas, cranial synostosis). While the focused CO2 laser may be used as a cutting instrument in less vascular tissue with little trauma to the surroundings, the Nd-YAG laser produces a homogeneous coagulation with an energy dependent depth effect. Thus, with the Nd-YAG laser residual tumour tissue can be selectively and with a predictable depth effect thermally destroyed. Because of its excellent coagulation property, the use of the Nd-YAG laser is particularly indicated in highly vascular meningeal tumours. The shrinkage of a tumour and its demarcation which is due to the varying absorption properties facilitates the dissection and allows in addition the preservation of normal tissue.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*