Experimental microvascular anastomoses performed with CO2, Argon and Nd.YAG lasers

The researchers used 60 rats and effected 120 femoral artery anastomoses. They studied the effect of welding performed by CO2, Argon and Nd. YAG lasers with and without the use of fibrin glue. The laser does not make the execution of vascular microanastomoses easier or safer than could be obtained with manual suturing. In fact, the exact opposite is the case. The CO2 laser is not suitable for the execution of microvascular anastomoses. Argon and Nd. YAG lasers are more effective and with the use of fibrin glue, results near, but are not superior to, those obtainable by manual suturing; since laser energy is easily transferable with thin quartz fibers, its use in laparoscopic surgery could prove quite useful.