In vitro tissue effects of a combined Ho:YAG/Nd:YAG laser: sprinkling of tissue fragments by Ho:YAG laser light may be problematic for oncological interventions.
OBJECTIVE
Surgery of soft tissue, for example, of the tongue or the liver, requires a cutting and coagulating device. Therefore, a combined Ho:YAG/Nd:YAG laser providing the laser beam of both systems together in one bare fiber seems to be useful.


METHODS
We studied the effect of such a laser system in vitro on tongues of pigs.


RESULTS
Combined application of both lasers results in vitro in a thicker coagulation zone in soft tissue (tongue). Tissue fragments possibly containing vital cells are sprinkled by the pulsed energy of the Ho:YAG laser up to a distance of 20 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the pulsed Ho:YAG laser for oncologic interventions seems to be problematic. Combined laser effect in vivo may result in better hemostasis.
Zenk
J
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Saarland School of Medicine, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Geisthoff
U W
UW
Hamadi
I
I
Iro
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006487:Hemostasis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000601:surgery; D014059:Tongue / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014945:Wound Healing
D002245:Carbon Dioxide