Reduction of local tumor recurrence by excision with the CO2 laser

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of CO2 laser surgery on the incidence of local recurrence following tumor resection. Thirty female Fisher 344 rats were implanted with R3230AC mammary carcinoma. All tumors were completely excised 18-21 days post-implantation. In 15 animals, the resection was done with a scalpel. Fifteen animals underwent laser excision with the Sharplan 733 CO2 laser (TEMoo, 125 mm handpiece, 25W continuous wave). Primary tumor size was 17.6 +/- 1.4 mm in the scalpel group and 21.2 +/- 6.3 mm in the laser group. Tumor recurred in 14/15 (93.4%) of the scalpel group and 5/15 (33.3%) of the laser group (p less than 0.001). The site of recurrence was incisional in 13/15 (86.7%) of the scalpel group and 3/15 (20%) of the laser group (p less than 0.001). Axillary metastases occurred in 2/15 (13.3%) in each group. The disease-free interval was 26 days in the laser group and 12 days in the scalpel group. The CO2 laser is an effective surgical adjunct to reduce local tumor seeding and recurrence.