COMPARISON OF EDEMA FORMATION AFTER CO2 AND ND-YAG LASER THERAPY AND CRYOSURGERY

A comparison of oedema formation, as measured by leakage of the dye Evans blue from the circulation, was carried out in the laboratory rat employing standardized lesions on the anterior abdominal wall by various regimens of CO2 laser, Nd-YAG laser and cryosurgery over a 4 h period. The CO2 laser at high power produced significantly less oedema than any other modality (p<0.05) while the Nd-YAG laser at high power produced significantly more (p<0.05) than any other. Nd-YAG low power, cryosurgery in one of two freezes and the CO2 laser at low power all produced a moderate degree of oedema (no significant difference). These findings have particular clinical relevance in sites where oedema may cause major functional or cosmetic problems as in the oro-facial region. The animals remained sedated over the period of observation so that any possible discomfort was eliminated. © 1992, Baillière Tindall. All rights reserved.