Erb:YAG and Hol:YAG laser ablation of meniscus and intervertebral discs

✍ Scribed by Martin Buchelt; Hans-Paul Kutschera; Thomas Katterschafka; Harald Kiss; Barbara Schneider; Robert Ullrich

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 731 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.1900120405

✦ Synopsis

Erb:YAG and HokYAG laser ablation rates of fibrocartilage and nucleus pulposus were measured in vitro simulating clinical conditions. After ablation macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the ablation site was investigated. HokYAG and Erb:YAG laser mean ablation rates increased almost linearly with rising energies, showing higher total ablation rates for the HokYAG laser due to its higher achievable energy density. At comparable energy densities the Erb:YAG laser appears to be more effective with respect to the corresponding ablation rates. Consequently, the ablational threshold proved to be lower for the Erb:YAG laser. Whereas during HokYAG laser ablation, some smoke formation and considerable tissue shrinking occurred, these effects could not be observed during Erb:YAG laser ablation. Consequently macroscopic and microscopic inspection showed some thermal damage after Ho1:YAG and only minimal alterations after ErbYAG laser ablation. Adjacent thermal damage was determined and proved to be lower for the Erb:YAG laser. In our opinion the characteristics of each laser system provide certain advantages for special clinical indications. o 1992 Wiey-Liss, Inc.