title: The contact Nd-YAG laser for oral and oropharyngeal malignant tumors.
abstract: Nine oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas were removed with a contact Nd-YAG laser. Clinical and morphological studies on wound healing and effects of the Nd-YAG laser were performed. The wounds were not sutured and patients did not complain of any severe symptoms. The wound healing was prolonged to 3-6 weeks. Cells and glands degenerated at a depth of 2-3 mm by the direct effects of the laser. The epithelium exhibited acantholysis 5 mm from the site of laser injury. Scanning electron microscopy showed no coagulation or other coated material in the wound created by a surgical knife, while the wound surface by laser consisted of carbonization, well-coated and non-coated areas. These findings varied with the laser power. The coagulation and thermal effects of the Nd-YAG laser resulted in autolysis of tumor cells at least within 5 mm of the cutting surface. The contact Nd-YAG laser was useful for the removal of the malignant tumor in the oral cavity and oropharynx where it is difficult to maintain a generous safety margin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kagawa Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyaguchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing