The CO2 laser beam in the surgical treatment of cerebral tumours

Several cases of supratentorial gliomas and meningiomas were operated on since May 1977 with the help of CO2 laser infrared beam, generated by the Sharplan 791 He unit, with an adjustable output up to 50 Watts. Defocused laser beam has been found to be useful in direct attack on the tumour, through a vaporization of the neoplastic tissue. So the tumour could be progressively excavate with a loss of blood comparatively lower than with classical method. Haemostasis was quite good on diffuse capillary bleeding, but not on arterial or venous haemorragies, where the use of electrocoagulation was necessary. Extirpation especially, of meningiomas, was easier and less traumatic with the laser beam, and the destruction of infiltrating glial tumours was facilitated too.