title: Comparison of carbon dioxide laser and scalpel for breast lumpectomy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the CO2 laser is superior to conventional surgical techniques for minor breast surgery in a randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested in the literature that application of CO2 laser in breast surgery might be superior to conventional surgery in some aspects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women whose breast masses were suitable for excisional biopsy were randomly allocated to laser and control (conventional surgical technique with scalpel) groups. Perioperative and postoperative variables were recorded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' ages ranged from 16-63 y. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total operative time (17.4 min with laser and 17.5 min with scalpel). There was a significant decrease in the required dose of lidocaine in the laser group (9.3 mL) compared to the scalpel group (12.4 mL; p = 0.01). In addition, hemorrhage was significantly lower in the laser group (6.6 mL) compared to the control group (11.9 mL; p = 0.006). There was no difference in the grade of the scar or postoperative pain between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the CO2 laser in breast mass biopsy has some advantages, including a lower requirement for local anesthetic and a lower rate of intraoperative bleeding. Furthermore, using the laser does not prolong the operative time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Paris, France. akaviani@sina.tums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaviani
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fateh
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ataie-Fashtami
authors.forename: Masud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yunesian
authors.forename: Massoome
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.forename: Miles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rabbani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged