title: Comparison between CO2 laser and 4.0 MHz radiosurgery for incising skin in white Carneau pigeons (Columba livia).
abstract: To objectively evaluate the collateral damage associated with radiosurgical and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser devices, a comparative surgical and histologic study was undertaken in white Carneau pigeons (Columba livia). Ten pigeons were anesthetized, and a series of 3 skin incisions were made in the pectoral region by using a 4.0-MHz radiosurgical unit, a CO2 laser, and a scalpel blade (control). A total of 90 skin incisions were microscopically evaluated, and their associated mechanical- and thermal-induced tissue lesions were measured in micrometers. Scalpel incisions invariably resulted in hemorrhage, whereas all laser and radiosurgical skin incisions were essentially bloodless. Scalpel blade incisions were least traumatic (mean [SD] 18 +/- 15 microm) followed by incisions created with radiosurgery (mean [SD] 94 +/- 60 microm) and CO2 laser (mean [SD] 150 +/- 64 microm). Radiosurgery was significantly less traumatic than CO2 laser (P = .003). Radiosurgery appears to offer significant benefits over CO2 laser for avian surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7390, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hernández-Divers
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Uriel
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blas-Machado
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments