Comparison of the carbon dioxide laser and the radiofrequency unit for feline onychectomies.
This study compared the collateral tissue damage and incisional bridging with granulation tissue via histopathological examination following feline onychectomy performed by radiofrequency (RF) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser. Two cats were euthanized, and their digits were harvested for histopathological evaluation on days 1, 3, and 7 post-onychectomy. Each digit was evaluated for total lesion width, total necrosis width, and degree of edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation. This study found few significant differences in collateral tissue damage between RF and CO(2) laser, but more incisional bridging by granulation tissue was noted with RF for feline onychectomies. These results indicate that RF for feline onychectomy is a reasonable alternative to CO(2) laser in regard to collateral tissue damage and bridging of the incision by granulation tissue. In addition, RF is not accompanied by the strict safety considerations and initial expense of acquisition of a CO(2) laser.
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, 501 South DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602-7309, USA.
Sara M
SM
Burns
Elizabeth W
EW
Howerth
Clarence A
CA
Rawlings
Karen K
KK
Cornell
Maryann G
MG
Radlinsky
Jeffrey W
JW
Mauck
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002415:Cats / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011846:Radio Waves; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide