[Use of lasers for the excision of calcified heart valves--an experimental study]

Cut effect and clinical employment possibilities of the CO2 Laser were tested in 25 calcified and scarred indurated surgical specimens of human mitral and aortic valves. Sparing incisions even of fine structures as papillary muscles and tendinous fibres are possible without traumatism. Calcification parts were transected analogous to the osteotomy, so that originate accurate incisions in the focus and incinerations and evaporation effects outside of the focus. The conception of an exchangeable grip will be recommended for the clinical employment to the certain exclusion of accessory lesions.