Optimal parameters for CO2 laser reconstruction of urethral tissue using a protein solder

This study was designed to determine the optimal laser parameters for welding urethral tissue and to develop further understanding of the welding process. A partial transection of the pendulous rat urethra was repaired using laser powers of 80, 120, and 160 milliwatts with shutter speeds of 50 milliseconds, 100 milliseconds, and in a continuous wave mode. Repairs were made using the laser alone and the laser plus a protein solder. Measurements of intraluminal bursting strength, percentage stricture and histology were performed. The highest bursting strength with the least amount of tissue damage was achieved using a power of 120 milliwatts with 100 milliseconds pulses and the addition of a protein solder. The average percentage stricture was lowest with the laser plus solder repair (4.2%) when compared to laser only repair (14%). Intraluminal bursting strength was similar in both types of repairs. Histology demonstrated marked changes in collagen organization after laser application in all models.