title: The use of the argon laser in the treatment of experimental endometriosis.
abstract: The argon laser offers several theoretical advantages over excision, electrocautery, or CO2 laser therapy for the treatment of peritoneal implants of endometriosis. Therefore, a study of the feasibility of the argon laser for the treatment of endometriosis was performed using five virgin New Zealand White rabbits. Following 6 days of estrogen administration, each animal underwent laparotomy with excision of the right uterine horn. Sections of endometrium were sutured to several peritoneal surfaces. Approximately 3 weeks later the endometrial implants were photocoagulated with the argon laser (488 nm, 2 W, 2-mm spot size, 3 to 5 seconds). Histologic examination of the sites of laser therapy demonstrated complete ablation of the endometriosis with 0.25-mm damage to the underlying tissue and surrounding tissue.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000637:transplantation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D001128:Argon