title: Lateral retinacular release. The holmium:YAG laser versus electrocautery.
abstract: A retrospective study was conducted in which several parameters of postoperative recovery were compared between 2 groups of patients: 25 patients who had lateral retinacular release surgery in which the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser was used, and a control group of 17 patients who had the same surgery in which electrocautery was used. Postoperative recovery times of patients treated with the Ho:YAG laser were significantly decreased as compared with the recovery rates of patients in the control group. Morbidity also was reduced in the group for whom the laser was used. The results of this study indicate that the 2.1-micron-wave-length, pulsed Ho:YAG laser can be used safely and effectively to perform lateral retinacular release surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, CA, USA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Fanton
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dillingham
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perkash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D003289:Convalescence; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006395:Hemarthrosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors