title: Cochlear tolerance of Nd:YAG laser myringotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess whether Nd:YAG laser myringotomy has a negative effect on the cochlea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten adult guinea pigs with a normal Preyer's reflex were treated by myringotomy with an Nd:YAG laser (power output 8-10W) under surgical microscopic guidance. Preoperative and immediately postoperative hearing tests were performed using auditory brainstem response. The cochlear hair cells were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean postoperative hearing threshold of the auditory brainstem response showed an insignificant elevation. SEM findings revealed normal outer and inner hair cells after laser myringotomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No negative effect of Nd:YAG laser myringotomy on the cochlea was found. From these results, it can be concluded that the Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective for myringotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Hak-dong 8, Dongku, Gwangju, South Korea. chulsavio@hanmail.net
authors.forename: Chul Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Yong Bum
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Cheol Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang-Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Seong-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: See Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000601:surgery*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects