Effects of an erbium, chromium: Yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet laser on mucocutaneous soft tissues

Objectives. Lasers are effective tools for soft tissue surgery. The erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet laser is a new system that incorporates an air-water spray. This study evaluates the cutting margins of this laser and compares healing with laser and conventional scalpel and punch biopsy-induced wounds. Study design. New Zealand white rabbits were divided into serial sacrifice groups; the tissues were grossly and microscopically analyzed after laser and convential steel surgical wounding. Results. Wound margins were found to show minimal edge coagulation artifact and were 20 to 40 mm in width. Laser wounds showed minimal to no hemorrhage and re-epithelialization and collagenization were found to occur by day 7 in both laser and conventional groups. Conclusions. The new laser system is an effective soft tissue surgical device; wound healing is comparable to that associated with surgical steel wounds. The minimal edge artifact observed with this laser system should allow for the procurement of diagnostic biopsy specimens.