Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to report our basic experiments and clinical experien ces of CO2 laser surgery. In basic experiments, the sequence of events from the im mediate effects of laser irradiation to wound healing has been studied from various points of view. The results were as follows:
1) The stationary irradiation of CO2 laser beam produces a crater-shaped tissue loss caused by rapid vaporization of the water component of the tissue.
2) The solid component in the crater is mostly burned up and carbonized. Some tissue particles are blown off by an expansion effect, but all of them lose their func tional vitality.
3) The injuries of tissue adjacent to the crater which corresponds to the thermal gradients results from thermal denaturation induced by milder heat effect than that on the center of the crater.
4) The coagulated area results in extraordinary hemostatic effects. Furthermore this sealing effect secures safety area which prevents possible dissemination of tumor cells.
As for clinical experiences, the CO2 laser apparatus which had been developed in our department was introduced. Based on the 60 cases of laser surgery, advantages, disadvantages and safety countermeasure were discussed.
On the clinical point of view, CO2 laser has many advantages as a surgical moda lity compared with cold knife.
