title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Saarland School of Medicine, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zenk
authors.forename: U W
authors.initials: UW
authors.lastname: Geisthoff
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hamadi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iro
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide