Mid‐infrared erbium:YAG laser ablation of bone: The effect of laser osteotomy on bone healing

J. Stuart Nelson*, Arie Orenstein, Lih‐Huei L. Liaw, Michael W. Berns

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Scopus citations

Abstract

A comparative study was undertaken in rabbit tibiae to assess the healing of bone in response to osteotomies by a mid‐infrared erbium:YAG (2.94 μm) laser or a mechanical saw. Laser parameters necessary for osteotomy were shown to produce deep cuts with sharp edges and no gross charring or burning of adjacent bone. However, it was noted histologically that there was a delay in healing of the laser osteotomies as compared to saw osteotomies. This delay was caused by a microscopic zone of damage to bone adjacent to the laser cuts. It is concluded that, although the erbium:YAG laser may be a useful tool in orthopaedic surgery to ablate bone, under the conditions used in this study, there will be a delay in the healing process after laser osteotomy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)362-374
Number of pages13
JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Cancer InstituteR01CA032248
National Center for Research ResourcesP41RR001192

    Keywords

    • irradiation
    • mechanical saw
    • osteotomies
    • saw osteotomy

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Mid‐infrared erbium:YAG laser ablation of bone: The effect of laser osteotomy on bone healing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this