Synergistic effects of sequential carbon dioxide and neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser injuries. Experimental observations and measurements

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Ann. Otol., Rhinol., Laryngol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/000348948709600111· OSTI ID:6697670

Primrose, W J; McDonald, G A; O'Brien, M J; Vaughan, C W; Strong, M S

The carbon dioxide and neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers have well documented but characteristically different biological effects, yet little is known about their cumulative, synergistic, or paradoxical effects when used sequentially on living tissue. Using a Merrimack ML 880 laser, a series of superimposed CO/sub 2/ and Nd:YAG lesions in various combinations were produced on the undersurface of dog tongues. Therapeutic time and power settings were chosen and the number of applications varied, with suitable controls. Observations and measurements were made on acute, healing, and healed lesions. All lesions were excised and submitted for routine hematoxylin and eosin histology. Acute lesions were also assessed for cell viability using rhodamine 123 as a supravital marker. The results show that, even though all the lesions eventually heal, the actual cell damage produced by the Nd:YAG laser is much more than is suggested by the size of the acute lesion. This cell damage can be reduced by the surface carbonization produced by initial application of the CO/sub 2/ laser. Higher surface temperatures are reached in this combination with less fibrosis and scarring than equal energy counterparts where the Nd:YAG laser was applied first. The knowledge of these synergistic effects can be used to advantage in the clinical setting. The rhodamine 123 technique also appears to be a valid measure of acute thermal tissue injury.

• Research Organization: Univ. Hospital, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6697670
• Journal Information: Ann. Otol., Rhinol., Laryngol.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Otol., Rhinol., Laryngol.; (United States); ISSN AORHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BODY
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DOGS
GAS LASERS
HEALING
INJURIES
LASERS
MAMMALS
NECROSIS
NEODYMIUM LASERS
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RECOVERY
SOLID STATE LASERS
SYNERGISM
TONGUE
VERTEBRATES
WOUNDS