Different air-water spray regulations affect the healing of Er,Cr:YSGG laser incisions

Surgeries performed with high-intensity laser devices may be improved with accurate protocols, including the air-water spray regulation. Thus, this study sought to investigate the healing process of wounds made on the dorsum of rat tongues using an Er,Cr:YSGG laser device with different air-water spray regulations. The incisions were made on the dorsum of Wistar rat tongues using an Er,Cr:YSGG laser with three different air-water spray regulations (100/0%, 50/50%, 11/7%). Scalpel incisions functioned as controls. The sacrifices occurred between 0 and 14 days after surgery. Morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical (fibronectin and type III collagen) analysis of the wounds were performed. The air-water spray regulation influenced wound healing and the inflammatory response, especially in the earlier stages. Incisions performed using the 100/0% air/water spray regulation had the worst results, expressing a greater amount of fibronectin and type III collagen. The 50/50% air/water spray regulation brought in a non-clear surgical field and poor laser interaction with the tissue. The 11/7% air/water spray regulation showed the best clinical results and less pronounced histological events. According to the results encountered, the air-water spray should be regulated to improve surgery.