Comparative study of soft tissue surgery by visible and infrared laser radiation

To compare the cutting properties of lasers with different wavelengths (445 nm, 532 nm and 808 nm) used in cutting blood-rich tissues. Porcine myocardial tissue was cut using 2.3-15 W laser radiation in contact and non-contact modes with an optical fiber or focusing handpiece. The cut depth and coagulation zone width were determined histologically. The 445-nm laser achieved the greatest cut depth for all cutting parameters (p < 0.01). The blue laser gave the smallest coagulation width to cut depth ratio. Results of the study are consistent with the assumption that a 445 nm blue laser may have better cutting properties than green and infrared lasers due to the high absorption of radiation at this wavelength in hemoglobin and, consequently, in the biological blood-rich tissue.