title: Soft tissue application of lasers.
abstract: Despite increasing numbers of veterinarians incorporating lasers into their clinical practices, little information has been published about laser clinical applications in soft tissue surgery. This article reviews soft tissue interaction, describes laser equipment and accessories commonly marketed to veterinarians, and discusses clinical applications of the carbon dioxide laser in a systems-based approach. A table of recommended laser tips and settings based on the authors' experiences using a carbon dioxide laser (AccuVet Novapulse LX-20SP, Bothell, WA) is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, 379 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. tholt@vet.uga.edu
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: Fred A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*