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Defocused CO2 laser on equine skin: a histological examination
A Bergh1, Y Ridderstråle, S Ekman
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Division of Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Reasons For Performing Study:
No studies have been published on effects of treatment with a defocused beam carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on equine skin histology. A better understanding of this will help to define how lasers should be used, in order to reduce potential side effects.
Objective:
To describe the acute effects of different doses of defocused CO2 laser, ranging from therapeutic to surgical levels, on equine skin.
Methods:
Defocused CO2 laser was administered to the skin in the hamstrings (91 J/cm2), fetlock (137 J/cm2) and loin (450 J/cm2) areas of 13 Standardbred horses. The acute effects on skin histology were examined 90 min after the end of therapy.
Results:
Mild changes with focal spongiosis and subepidermal clefts were found after 91 J/cm2 irradiation and more severe changes with diffuse subepidermal clefts after the 137 J/cm2 dose. A homogeneous eosinophilic acellular zone of dermis and destruction of adnexal structures, and significant thinning of the epidermis was observed after the 450 J/cm2 dose.
Conclusions:
The present study indicates acute dose-dependent changes in equine skin histology after laser treatment Severe tissue damage was induced using a 450 J/cm2 dose.
Potential Relevance:
To reduce the potential side effects of defocused CO2 laser treatment, the laser parameters must be carefully evaluated. Caution should be taken if doses higher than 91 J/cm2 (16 W, 4 min, and 42 cm2) are used in irradiation of equine skin.
