CO2-laser-assisted microsurgical anastomosis in reconstructive microsurgery

摘要

Since 1984, the author used a low output carbon dioxide laser for microsurgical anastomoses in the experimental investigation with rats. The series of experiments demonstrates the following characteristics, in comparison with conventional microsurgical anastomoses: ease in technique; less time consumption; equivalency of patency rate and bursting pressure; but only about 50% of the tensile strength of manual suture anastomosis. These findings suggested that low output carbon dioxide laser has the potential for clinical application. Then this technique has been applied in six clinical cases with digital replantations and free vascularized flap since 1988. The procedure offers increased safety and speed in reconstructive microsurgery.