title: Current laser applications in reconstructive microsurgery: A review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microvascular surgery has become an important method for reconstructing surgical defects following trauma, tumor resection, or burns. Laser-assisted microanastomoses (LAMA) were introduced by Jain in 1979 in order to help the microsurgeon reduce both operating time and complications. This article reviews the literature on clinical applications of LAMA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Medline literature search was performed and cross-referenced. Articles between 1979 and 2014 were included. Keywords used were laser, laser microanastomoses, laser microanastomosis, LAMA, and microsurgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only seven clinical studies using three different wavelengths were found in the literature: 1,064 nm (Nd: YAG), 10,600 nm (CO2), 514 nm (Argon), and 1,950 nm (Diode). Clinical outcomes, type of procedures, laser wavelength and parameters, and possible wider applications in the operating room are discussed in each case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate for reconstructive free flap surgery and hand surgery achieved with LAMA appears promising. In particular, use of the 1950-nm diode laser for microsurgery is likely to increase in the near future.
authors.affiliation: a INSERM, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology , University of Lille , Lille , France.|b Department of Plastic & Transsexual Surgery , Burn Surgery, Hand Surgery, CHU University of Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France.|c Department of Plastic Surgery , MHH Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany.|d Department of Anatomy , University of Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France.
authors.forename: Franck Marie
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leclère
authors.affiliation: c Department of Plastic Surgery , MHH Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: a INSERM, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology , University of Lille , Lille , France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schoofs
authors.affiliation: e Unitède soutien à la recherche clinique , CHR Pontoise, Pontoise , France.
authors.forename: Maryline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delattre
authors.affiliation: a INSERM, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology , University of Lille , Lille , France.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mordon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: LAMA; Laser; free flap; laser microanastomosis; microanastomoses; microsurgery