[Choice of tools for ambulatory uvulopalatoplasty on the basis of experimental and clinical studies]

We studied interaction of a radiofrequency scalpel and a semiconductor laser with the tissue phantom. The heated part of the phantom can be easily removed and measured for size of the coagulated area. We investigated to what extent the width of the coagulation necrosis along the incision is influenced by the power and speed of each instrument used for incision. As for the laser, the width of the coagulation zone increased with rise of power and slowing of cutting velocity. For the scalpel, this relationship between incision velocity and coagulation effect was much weaker but had the same trend. We compared hemostasis efficiency during uvulopalatoplasty with both instruments. Much more potent hemostatic effect was registered in laser uvulopalatoplasty.