Use of the holmium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser for cranial nerve decompression: an in vivo study using the rabbit model.
A study was designed to evaluate the utility and safety of the holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser for precise bony decompression of neural canals. In vivo rabbit studies were performed to measure temperature changes and nerve degeneration which occurred when the facial canal was decompressed with the laser as compared to the diamond burr. Marked temperature elevations were noted with the laser (n = 4), but not with the burr (n = 4). Seven of nine nerves decompressed with the laser revealed moderate to severe degeneration, whereas two control nerves decompressed with the drill demonstrated only minimal degeneration. It is concluded that this laser should not be used for nerve decompression unless better control of temperature elevation can be achieved.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.
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Qadir
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Kennedy
D000818:Animals; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature