Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T20:42:20.778Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An in vitro comparison of the erbium: YAG laser and the carbon dioxide laser in laryngeal surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Rory C. D. Herdman*
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology, Manchester University, Manchester.
Andrew Charlton
Affiliation:
Departments of Pure Physics, Manchester University, Manchester.
Anthony E. Hinton
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology, Manchester University, Manchester.
Anthony J. Freemont
Affiliation:
Departments of Pathological Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester.
*
Mr R. C. D. Herdmann, F.R.C.S., ENT Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, Berks RG1 5AN.

Abstract

This study compares the relative thermal damage caused by a surgical CO2 laser and the Erbium: YAG laser when used to incise the human vocal fold in vitro. Results show that charring is completely eliminated when using the Erbium: YAG laser. The depth of coagulative necrosis adjacent to an incision is reduced from 510 ±m(µ 75) using the CO2 laser to 23 ±m(µ 12) using the Ebrium: YAG laser and at the base is reduced from 125 ±m (µ 45) using the CO2 laser to 12 ±m (µ 8 ) using the Erbium: YAG laser. The potential advantages regarding post-operative healing after laryngeal surgery are discussed.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Charlton, A., Dickinson, M. R., King, T. A. (1989) High repetition rate, high average power. Er: YAG laser at 2.94 microns. Journal of Medical Optics 36 (10)Google Scholar
Dickinson, M. R., Charlton, A., King, T. A., Freemont, A. J., Bramley, R. (1993) Studies of Er: YAG laser interactions with soft tissue. Lasers in Medical Science. (In press).Google Scholar
Durkin, G. E., Duncavage, J. A., Toohill, A. (1986) Wound healing of true vocal cord squamous epithelial after carbon dioxide laser ablation and cup forcep stripping. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery 95: 273277.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, S. E., Frame, J. W., Browne, R. M., Tranter, R. M. D. (1983) A comparative histological study of wound healing following CO2 laser and conventional surgical excision of canine buccal mucosa. Archives of Oral Biology 28: 287291.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garcia-Tapia, R., Pardo, J., Marigil, M.Pacio, A. (1984) Effects of the laser upon Reinke's space and the neural system of the vocalis muscle. In Transcripts of the Twelfth Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice. (Lawrence, V. C., ed.) The Voice Foundation, New York, pp. 289291.Google Scholar
Leonard, R. J., Gallia, L. J., Charpied, G., Kelly, A. W. (1988) Effects of stripping and laser excision on vocal mucosa in cats. Annals of Otology. Rhinology and Laryngology 97: 159163.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mihashi, S., Jako, G. J., Incze, J. (1976) Laser surgery in otolaryngology: interaction of the carbon dioxide laser in soft tissue. Annals of the New York Academy of Science 267: 263293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shapshay, S. M., Rebeiz, E. E., Bohigian, R. K., Hybels, R. L. (1990) Benign lesions of the larynx: should the laser be used? Laryngoscope 100: 953957.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walsh, J. T., Flotte, T. J., Anderson, R. R., Deutsch, T. F. (1988) Pulsed CO2 laser tissue ablation: effect of tissue type and pulse duration on thermal damage. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 8: 108118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walsh, J. T.Flotte, T. J., Deutsch, T. F. (1989) Er: YAG ablation of tissue: effect of pulse duration and tissue type on tissue damage. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 9: 314326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar