Comparison of thermocoagulation effects of low power, slow heating versus high power, rapid heating Nd: YAG laser regimens in a canine prostate model.
We compared the thermocoagulation effects of low power, slow heating (15 W x 180 seconds) versus high power, rapid heating (50 W x 60 seconds) laser regimens in the canine prostate. The study was performed in 20 mongrel canines. On each prostate, the low power regimen was delivered at the 2 and 4 o'clock positions, and the high power at the 8 and 10 o'clock positions. The laser power was measured at the fiber tip. Seven dogs (acute group) were sacrificed 1 hour after the procedure. The other 13 dogs (chronic group) were sacrificed at different time intervals from 3 days to 9 weeks after the procedure. The average depth of coagulation was significantly greater in lesions treated at low power (acute: 10.7 mm., chronic: 13.3 mm.) than in those treated at high power (acute: 8.5 mm., chronic: 11.6 mm.). Another potential benefit of the low power regimen observed in the study was preservation of the integrity and efficiency of the laser probe.
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555.
E
E
Orihuela
M
M
Motamedi
T
T
Cammack
J H
JH
Torres
M
M
Pow-Sang
M
M
Lahaye
D F
DF
Cowan
M M
MM
Warren
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*