[Laparoscopic laser cholecystectomy]

In an ex vivo- and an animal study a Holmium-YAG laser, a Nd:YAG laser and a CO2 laser were examined. For laparoscopic cholecystectomy the pulsed Holmium:YAG laser proved to be the best instrument. Dissecting and haemostatic effects were connected when working with a power of 4 watts. Dissected area per minute was 112 mm2, gallbladder dissection (15 cm2) can be performed in 13 min. In the animal study the cholecystectomy lasted 30 min on average when the Holmium:YAG laser was used. Bleeding was not observed, development of smoke was tolerable.