Carbon dioxide laser in scalp tumor surgery

The widespread application of the CO2 laser in surgical treatment of tumor led us to verify its usefulness in selected cases of scalp tumor. Twelve selected patients underwent CO2 laser surgical excision plus vaporization of the wound base for infiltrating tumors during 1980-82. All patients showed associated pathologies that interfered with the traditional surgical excision and with anesthesiological practices. Our experience has confirmed the effectiveness of the laser technique under these conditions and with respect to subsequent plastic restoration.