Laser assisted urethral closure in the rat: comparison of CO2 and Neodymium-YAG laser techniques

In 65 male rats a comparative study was undertaken to investigate a Neodymium-YAG and CO2 laser system for the microsurgical repair of longitudinal incisions of the rat urethra. Postoperative investigations included patency tests, necropsy and light microscopy. Use of the laser systems did not reduce operation time. The highest rate of postoperative strictures (90%), urethral fistulas (30%), urinomas (20%) and postoperative deaths (70%) was seen in the Neodymium-YAG laser group. CO2 laser repair was almost as efficacious as microsuture repair, except for a higher rate of urethral fistulas resulting from the initially weak laser weld. Based on these findings, the Neodymium-YAG laser seems unsuitable for urethral repair. Further studies in larger animals are warranted using a CO2 laser in combination with postoperative cystostomy for urinary diversion in order to avoid fistulas in the early postoperative period.