title: Histopathological and electrophysiological study of CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO (2) + Er:YAG laser effect on peripheral nerve.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological, histopathological, and electrophysiological changes of peripheral nerve after CO(2) (carbon dioxide), Er:YAG (erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet), and CO(2) + Er:YAG laser irradiation. There have been no comparative reports on CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO(2) + Er:YAG laser effects on peripheral nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I received CO(2), group II Er:YAG, and group III CO(2) + Er:YAG laser irradiation. Contralateral untreated sciatic nerves from the same animals were used as controls. The effect of laser on the peripheral nerve was assessed morphologically, histopathologically, and electrophysiologically after 6 weeks of laser irradiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed between the treated and the untreated nerves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall findings indicated that CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO(2) + Er:YAG lasers may be used safely in nerve tissue surgery.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Plastik ve Rekonstrüktif Cerrahi, Ad Cebeci Hastanesi, Dikimevi, Ankara, Turkey. savasserel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Savaş
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serel
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Yildirim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sara
authors.forename: Aylin Okçu
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Heper
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Can
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide