Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Published on: September 29, 2018
Compatibility of CO2 laser surgery and fluorescence detection in head and neck cancer cells
Julia Odenthal1,2, Peter Friedl2,3,4, Robert P Takes1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Surgical treatment of cancer requires tumor excision with emphasis on function preservation which is achieved in (early stage) laryngeal cancer by transoral carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser surgery. Whereas conventional laser surgery is restricted by the surgeon's visual recognition of tumor tissue, new approaches based on fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) improve the detection of the tumor and its margin. However, it is unclear whether fluorophores are compatible with high-power laser application or whether precision is compromised by laser-induced bleaching of the dye.
Methods:
We applied topology-controlled 3D laser resection of fluorescent tumors cell in vitro and laser-induced autofluorescence analysis ex vivo.
Results:
Laser-induced bleaching of fluorescent dyes in the visible and near-infrared light spectrum (650-900 nm) ranges below the resolution range of operation microscopes. Furthermore, specific fluorescent signals in an FGS mouse model is 104 higher than laser-induced autofluorescence in mouse tissue.
Conclusion:
Laser-induced lateral photobleaching is negligible indicating a path forward for fluorescence-guided laser surgery in head and neck cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

